It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Yeah, sure, Christmas, but we really mean tamale season. Now that the holidays are upon us, it’s time to get your mitts on these bundles of corn husk-wrapped goodness.
Not all of us are lucky enough to have an abuelita lovingly and painstakingly slaving away in the kitchen so the family can have its traditional tamales. And many of us don’t have the free time required to make our own.
Luckily, San Antonio has numerous options for tasty tamales that will knock your Christmas stockings off. In fact, you’re probably in the best city in America for tamales that taste just like grandma’s — because they probably were made by someone’s grandma.
4120 Blanco Road, (210) 734-8523, facebook.com/laluztortillas
Although you can’t make your Mondays better with tamales from La Luz, you can make any other day of the week brighter with a dozen of the goods. This local tortilla factory knows what it’s doing — just take the tortillas and tamales (not greasy, but plenty filling) on deck here as proof.
Credit: Facebook / La Luz Tortilla Factory
2000 SE Loop 410, Suite 103, (210) 648-6060, alfonsostamales.com
Alfonso’s, located on the East Side, is basically a tamale factory. Customers can choose from frozen machine-rolled tamales and the hot, hand-rolled variety. If you can spare a little extra coin, we recommend going with handmade, but you can’t go wrong either way. Alfonso’s sets itself apart on the crowded San Antonio tamale scene with a jalapeño and cheese tamal that will make you say “ay, caramba!”
Credit: Facebook / Alfonso's Tamales
13527 Hausman Pass, (210) 864-1111, deliastamales.com
This RGV fixture finally opened a storefront in SA, but given the excitement that’s built around the tamale empire has made for long lines for folks looking to score a dozen. Pro tip: Delia’s ships. Pay a little extra for shipping and revel in the fact that you didn’t have to sit in line for hours to get your tamal fix.
Credit: Instagram / deliastamales
1402 Gillette Blvd, (210) 922-4810, delriotortillas.com
This humble South Side spot is prized for its Mexican treats, including barbacoa and tortillas. Available cooked or raw, you can score these tamales in the traditional flavors — pork, chicken and bean to name a few.
Credit: Facebook / Del Rio Tortilla
13233 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 646-8346
A respectable joint for Mexican meats, menudo and more, Trevino’s Barbacoa also serves up tasty tamales for when you’re in the mood. Which is always, right? Just be sure to stop by when they’re open on the weekends.
Credit: Photo via Google Maps
10918 Wurzbach Road #134, (210) 558-6008, facebook.com/MimisBarbacoa
Near the intersection of Wurzbach and Vance Jackson you’ll be able to find a poppin’ joint that serves tamales five days out of the week. This counter-serve spot has lots to offer, including pork tamales year-round as well as jalapeño and chicken during the holiday season. Oh, and they also have buñuelos!
Credit: Facebook / Mimi's Barbacoa
1807 Rigsby Ave, (210) 337-0025, facebook.com
Over on Rigsby you’ll find some of SA’s favorite tamales at Ruben’s, where the lines may be long this time of year, but that’s only because it’s just that tasty. Choose from specialties like bean, chicken and pork with jalapeño.
Photo via Yelp / Dale H. Credit: Facebook / Ruben's Homemade Tamales
5300 S Flores St, (210) 663-2033, satamaleboy.com
Open Thursdays through Sundays, it’s easy to have a badass weekend with an order of tamales from Tamale Boy. This South Side storefront may be small, but they will definitely come through with more than 15 varieties of tamales — from classics like pork and beef as well as less-common combinations like carne guisada and cheese.
Credit: Facebook / Tamale Boy Tacos & Tamales
866 W Mayfield Blvd, (210) 921-0847
While the South Side can be trusted for all varieties of Mexican dishes, B & B Tamales is a standout for its namesake. The tiny restaurant comes through with dozens of tamales waiting to be picked up and devoured. Rumor has it that Mr. Bill Miller himself (the man behind the barbecue chain) used to love these tamales.
Photo via Instagram / injaimesshoes
2619 N Zarzamora St, (210) 434-0631
A look at the exterior and you’ll realize that La Bandera has all the makings of a solid molino. This hole-in-the-wall molino definitely keeps it real with a massive food lineup, that includes tamales available by the dozen. You’ll likely be coming here week after week in no time.
Credit: Sara Luna Ellis
multiple locations, (210) 377-1803, papisbarbacoa.com
Papi’s now has multiple locations serving San Antonio on Culebra and West Ave. You may be tempted to get your fill of barbacoa, but you’ll also want to save room for tamales. Open 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends, Papi’s Barbacoa serves up tamales by the dozen, as well as menudo and tortillas.
Credit: Facebook / Papi's Barbacoa
826 Johns Rd, Boerne, (210) 410-9664, chilitosexpress.com
Though technically in Boerne, Chilito’s Express can hold its own against SA-based tamal makers. This part food truck, part caterer venture packs lots of flavor into its tamales, available in fillings like spicy pork as well as bacon, bean and jalapeño. Go on, put in your order soon, fam!
Credit: Photo via Instagram / chilitosexpress
737 Division Ave, (210) 922-5274, lavictoriafactory.com
Good things are worth waiting for — take Victoria Tortilla & Tamales Factory as proof. This laid-back spot knows what it’s doing in the kitchen, from the tortillas and beans (just wait ‘til you try ‘em) to, of course, the tamales. Grab a few dozen and get the party started.
Credit: Facebook / La Victoria Tortilla & Tamales Factory
