If you grew up in south Texas, there’s a chance that most of your holiday memories include eating tamales. The corn masa and meat bundles, individually wrapped in corn husks and then steamed, are part of the traditional Mexican celebration of las posadas, which commemorates Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before the birth of Jesus. Tamales are enjoyed with families of all ethnicities in Texas this time of the year. They make great hostess gifts when attending holiday parties and come in flavors that suit most any picky eater.
Here are five great places to pick up some tamales in the Hill Country this holiday season:
1. Mi Casa Tamales – Boerne
Photo: Facebook/MiCasaTamales
All tamales at Mi Casa Tamales are made gluten-free with fresh, natural ingredients, and no preservatives. In addition to the traditional flavors, Mi Casa Tamales also offers flavors like cream cheese and jalapeno, serrano spinach, and even cinnamon raisin pecan.
2. Delicious Tamales – San Antonio
Photo: Facebook/Delicious Tamales
Delicious Tamales is the leading manufacturer of tamales in San Antonio, selling more than 2.1 million each year, which translates to 70 dozen tamales produced every two minutes from its 30,000-square-foot factory. Delicious Tamales has been voted “Best Tamales” for several consecutive years (1996-2006) in the Reader’s Choice Awards sponsored by the San Antonio Express-News.
3. Tamale House East – Austin
Photo: Facebook/tamalehouse.east
The tamales at Tamale House East are made entirely by hand by experienced Tamaleras in a commercial kitchen. They do not use a machine for anything and all fillings are made from scratch, nice and slow, using authentic, family recipes.
4. Magdalena’s Tamales – San Marcos
Photo: Facebook/magdalenastamales
For more than 40 years Magdalena’s Tamales have been a staple of the holidays in San Marcos, now you can get them year round.In addition to the traditional pork tamales, Magdalena’s offers bean and cheese tamales for the non-meat eaters.
5. Granny’s Tamales – San Antonio
Photo: Facebook/grannystamalesSA
Granny’s Tamales has been proudly serving Corpus Christi for 20 years and now they have recently begun establishing their name in the San Antonio area. Offering the traditional mix of flavors, Granny’s Tamales are famous throughout South Texas.
