Here today, gone tamale
Holiday hot list: Where to find the best tamales in Dallas
Tamales from El Ranchito on Jefferson Boulevard in Dallas.Photo courtesy of El Ranchito
Blue Goose Cantina has tamales to-go.Photo courtesy of Blue Goose Cantina
At Urban Taco, you can get your tamales to go or eat them in the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Urban Taco
Hot Damn Tamales in Fort Worth is worth the drive.Photo courtesy of Hot Damn Tamales
If you're part of a Mexican family that celebrates the festive tradition of making your own tamales during the holidays, then please give us a call. We'd like an invitation. If you're not, then you're like the rest of us: Buying your tamales from one of the many area vendors who ramp up production when December rolls around.
Below are some of the best tamales money can buy; most require pre-ordering but will do walk-up sales, depending on availability.
Blue Goose, all five locations, including Addison, Frisco, Lower Greenville Ave., Highland Village and Plano. 214-823-8339.
Open until 4 pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Fillings: Pork with chile con carne sauce, and chicken within jalapeno and jack cheese. $20 a dozen.
Dallas Tortilla and Tamale Factory, 309 N. Marsalis Ave., Dallas 214-821-8854.
Open until 8 pm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Fillings: Pork, beef, chicken, pork and jalapeno, beef and jalapeno. $8.95 per dozen warm, $7 cold.
Hot Damn Tamales, 713 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth. 817-926-9909.
Open until 2 pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Fillings: Tenderloin, shrimp, black bean and cheese, poblano corn, mushroom and goat cheese, cranberry-jalapeno, chocolate, and more. $20 to $36 per dozen.
La Popular Tamale House, 5004 Columbia Ave., Dallas 214-824-7617.
Open until 7 pm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Fillings: Pork, pork and jalapeno, spicy beef, chicken-tomatillo, mixed vegetables, beans and jalapeno. $10-$11 a dozen.
Lopez Tortillas & Tamales,9727 Brockbank Drive, Dallas 214-353-9538.
Open Christmas Eve until noon; closed on Christmas Day.
Fillings: Chicken, pork, rajas (peppers and cheese), raisin. $9 a dozen.
Luna's Tortilla Factory, 8524 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas 214-747-2661.
Open Christmas Eve until 3 pm, but only for pre-orders.
Fillings: Pork, beef, chicken, bean, spinach, cheese-jalapeno, cinnamon-raisin. $12 a dozen.
Urban Taco, both locations at Mockingbird Station and McKinney Avenue in Uptown, are celebrating their annual "12 Days of Tamales," a special menu with a rotating flavor every day, available December 13-24. Place a to-go order for any flavor with 24 hours notice, minimum one dozen for $24. You can also order the daily flavor at lunch or dinner, as a tamale trio plate with black beans and roasted corn con crema for $9.75.
12 Days of Tamales Menu:
- December 13 – pollo con mole poblano
- December 14 – cochinita pibil
- December 15 – guajillo pork
- December 16 – potato zucchini con queso fresco
- December 17 – frijoles y queso Oaxaca
- December 18 – tomatillo serrano con pollo
- December 19 – carnitas con mole poblano
- December 20 – Dos Equis Amber barbacoa con chorizo
- December 21 – guajillo piquin con pollo
- December 22 – chicharron adobado con salsa verde
- December 23 – green chile con picadillo
- December 24 – chicken tinga & potato
