While San Antonians love tamales any time of the year, December is when we lose self-control and eat every tamal (don’t @ us, it’s correct) we lay eyes on. If the tamales your family makes just aren’t enough to satisfy your antojo, here are some local spots that you can trust to hit the spot.

La Monita Tortilleria 3202 Guadalupe St, (210) 432-0332, facebook.com In the heart of the West Side, you’ll find this well-loved tortilleria that comes through on all fronts. While there’s much to appreciate from this menu, you’ll definitely want to stock up on tamales. Luckily this spot is open every day of the week in December, so you can have these delicious tamales on the regular if you’d like. Photo via Yelp / Jesse G.
Los Angeles Tortilleria & Restaurant 300 N Zarzamora St, (210) 435-2400, facebook.com A restaurant, tortilleria and panaderia all in one, this growing local chain has a lot to offer foodies with an appetite. Hungry foodies who stop by the Zarzamora location on Saturdays or Sundays will be able to indulge in tamales by the dozen, available in pork and chicken. Photo via Instagram / queenoftacostx
Victoria Tortilla & Tamales Factory 737 Division Ave, (210) 922-5274, facebook.com/VictoriaFactorySA 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. Photo via Instagram / tito3000
Olgitas Molino 1603 N PanAm Expy, (210) 225-6364, facebook.com/olgitasmolino Open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, you have plenty of opportunities throughout the week to score freshly-made tamales from Olgitas. This molino keeps it real with tacos, tortillas, barbacoa and yes, tamales (only pork, but we’re not complaining). Photo via Yelp / Claudia M.
Martinez Barbacoa Y Tamales 728 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 734-6621, facebook.com This Fredericksburg Road outpost is loved by those in the neighborhood as well as folks willing to drive across town for this goodness. The humble eatery is known for its offerings of barbacoa, tacos, carnitas, lengua, chicharrones and more — which means lots of tamales. You’ll definitely want to stock up on all the goods here. Photo via Instagram / mikaziljanessa
Mimi’s Barbacoa and Tamales Y Mas 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! Photo via Instagram / emmanuel_delfin
Delicious Tamales Multiple locations, delicioustamales.com Not many cities have tamal chains, but San Antonio is just like that. With six locations throughout the Alamo City, Delicious Tamales is a super dependable stop for when hunger strikes — and the only cure is tamales. Available by the dozen, you can stock up on fillings like jalapeño bean, pork, chicken and even a Southwest vegetarian option. They even make tamale poppers! Photo via Instagram / erikjongustafson
Trevino’s Barbacoa 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
Morenita Barbacoa 4302 S Flores St, (210) 409-2783, facebook.com/MORENITABARBACOA Not far from Rudy’s Seafood you’ll find Morenita Barbacoa, not to be confused with La Morenita Tortilleria. This South Side outpost not only dishes out flavorful barbacoa, but also stuffed tamales. Make plans to come when MB is open on the weekends and trust us, you’ll be eating good here. Photo via Yelp / Morenita Barbacoa
Los Cocos Fruteria Y Taqueria 1502 Bandera Road, (210) 431-7786 In addition to serving up some refreshing fruit cups, Los Cocos also makes a lot of scrumptious Mexican fare from the taqueria portion of its business. Here you’ll also be able to find tamales, which are actually enormous and super flavorful, wrapped in banana leaves. While you may not order a dozen to go, you’ll be happy stopping in for a fix here. Photo via Yelp / Jennifer L.
B & B Tamales and Food To Go 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
Ruben’s Homemade Tamales 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.
La Bandera Molino 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. Photo via Instagram / iamdj_therapy210
La Luz Tortilla Factory 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. Photo via Google Maps
Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa Multiple locations, tellez-tamales-barbacoa-factory.business.site With two locations in San Antonio, it’s not too difficult to score tamales from Tellez. The long lines? Well, that’s another story. But take it as this — these flavorful tamales are worth waiting for. Just note that the shop is asking that only one person per household stop in to stock up, as the pandemic surges on. Photo via Instagram / rg_coupe
Culebra Meat Market Multiple locations, culebrameatmarkets.com With plenty of locations throughout the Alamo City, it’s not hard to get your fill of molino bites at Culebra Meat Market. Barbacoa, carnitas and tortillas are up for grabs here, as are tamales by the dozen on the weekends. Go on, treat yo’self. Photo via Yelp / Jai J.
Los Valles Produce 3915 Nogalitos St, (210) 927-9595 A fruit stand that brings the South Side all sort of Mexican snacks, Los Valles also comes through with its tamales. Full of flavor, these goodies go down extra nice with a warm cup of champurrado. Photo via Yelp / Roland C.
Tamale Boy Tacos & 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. Photo via Instagram / lizarrdqueen
La Casa De Barbacoa 2201 NW Loop 410, Castle Hills, (210) 340-0999, lacasadebarbacoa.com Over in Castle Hills you’ll be able to feast on all the Mexican favorites that San Antonio knows and loves. You’ll want to accompany your spicy barbacoa with tamales, which are up for grabs by the dozen. Just don’t forget the Big Red! Photo via Instagram / bigsexy87
Del Rio Tortilla 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. Photo via Instagram / al_valdez1
Teka Molino Multiple locations, tekamolino.com From its two San Antonio locations, Teka Molino brings lots of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes to local foodies. Naturally, the menu includes pork tamales — which you can order individually (just $1.15 each!) or by the dozen. Whether you have a craving you need to fix or need to order up for a party, you’ll be in good hands here. Photo via Instagram / mark1buzz
Papi’s Barbacoa 68 Harwood Dr, (210) 377-1803 This strip mall joint may not look like much, but rest assured you’ll be able to stock up on all the goods here. 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. Photo via Yelp / Julie F.
La Grande 1622 Pleasanton Road, (210) 921-1502, facebook.com Mexican market goods await you at La Grande, where you’ll be able to find barbacoa, tortillas, menudo and tamales too. Pork tamales to be exact, so you’ll be getting the good stuff here. Photo via Google Maps
Sarah’s Barbacoa 6330 De Zavala Road, Suite 103, (210) 263-9955, facebook.com/sarahsbarbacoa A relative newcomer to the local food scene, Sarah’s Barbacoa is a dependable spot for quick-fix of Mexican bites. Open Friday through Sunday, this De Zavala storefront can be hit up for tamales by the dozen. You may as well grab (at least) a pound of the namesake barbacoa while you’re there. Photo via Instagram / sanantoniolovelist
El Folklor Bakery Multiple locations, facebook.com/elfolklorbakeryrandolph With three locations throughout San Antonio, it won’t be hard for locals to hit up this bakery for something savory — and sweet. In addition to freshly-baked pan dulce, this bakery chain also serves up tamales and barbacoa, at least on the weekends. It doesn’t get much better than that, y’all. Photo via Yelp / Brandi P.
Los Hermanos Tortilleria 303 Commercial Ave, (210) 922-0219, facebook.com If you’re looking for all of the Mexican goods that keep us a rotund city, you’ll find that and more. On the menu you’ll find varieties of tamales that’ll hit the spot — including a puro bean and jalapeño mixture, pork and chicken. Photo via Yelp / Jenn B.
Adelita Tamales & Tortilla Factory 1130 Fresno, (210) 733-5352, adelitatamales.com A local favorite for puro treats, tortillas and tamales are always up for grabs here. Swing by and you’ll be able to score housemade treats that’ll taste just like your abuela made them. Photo via Instagram / amariecalvo
Chilito’s Express 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
Granny’s Tamales Mobile food truck, (361) 903-2823, facebook.com/grannystamalesSA Originally started in Corpus Christi more than 20 years ago, Granny’s Tamales now serves San Antonio. Through mobile-only orders, local foodies can get their fill of tamales (or at least try — does the limit even exist?). Just be sure to get your orders in early so this mom-and-pop business can serve you. Photo via Yelp / Daryll B.