It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and in Texas, that means tamale season. Sure, there’s turkey, ham, and all the fixins, but one of the biggest tell tale signs of the holiday season is the smell of tamales in the air. The little corn-husked wrapped parcels are a true labor of love that symbolize tradition and family, and wholly embody the spirit of the season.
While not all are lucky enough to have an abuelita or tia that can conjure up a batch of tamales at a moment’s notice, Houstonians have an array of places to choose from where they are on offer by the dozen this holiday season. Here are the best spots in town to get your fix.
Soliz Casa de Tacos & Cafe
Soliz has been a favorite for homemade Mexican food in the Stafford area for more than 40 years, and it recently opened a new outpost in Richmond. While mainly known for its breakfast platters and tacos, don’t sleep on the slow cooked chili pork tamales—available in limited quantities daily. Orders may be placed online for pickup at either location. Multiple locations, soliztacos.com
El Bolillo Bakery
This Mexican bakery has been a Houston staple since 1998. It’s known for freshly baked pan dulce, conchas, and the traditional Rosca de Reyes (Mexican King Cake), but it also serves housemade tamales year-round. Priced at $7.49 per half dozen, fillings include pork, pork habanero, chicken and hatch chili, and rajas con queso (savory green chile and cheese). Orders may be placed by phone at any location, or via Uber Eats. Multiple locations, elbolillo.com
Picos
Ahead of its impending closure in January, the longstanding Mexican restaurant known for its tamales is bringing back its holiday menu of Norteños- (Northern Mexico/South Texas) and Oaxaqueños- (Oaxacan, banana leaf wrapped) style tamales one final time. Offerings include classics such as pork or beef in red chile, chicken in green chile, and peppers and cheese. There are also dessert tamales including piña colada and chocolate chip. Pricing ranges from $12.50 per half dozen or $25 per dozen for Norteños; and $23 per half dozen or $46 per dozen for Oaxaqueños, with an array of house made sauces and sides available. Order 5 dozen or more and receive a complimentary dozen. Orders may be placed online or by phone for pick up. 3601 Kirby Dr., Houston, picos.net
Molina’s
This family owned and operated Tex-Mex restaurant is serving up its traditional chili braised pork tamales this season. Tamales are available for pick-up through the new year for $16.95 per dozen. Orders may be placed online or by phone with 24 hour advance notice. Multiple locations, molinascantina.com
BB’s Tex-Orleans
During the holidays, BB’s offers a holiday take-out menu that includes Cajun fried turkey, Cajun fried boudin, stuffed turkey, a number sides, plus Cajun tamales. A unique take on the traditional tamale, these are filled with fried turkey, giblet gravy, and herbs and spices rolled in homemade masa. The tamales are $16.99 per dozen and can be ordered online or by calling any BB’s location. Multiple location, bbstexorleans.com
Monkey’s Tail
It’s tamale season again at this popular Lindale Park neighborhood bar. Grab a half dozen for $9 or a dozen for $16. Fillings classic red chile pork, green chile chicken, and grilled pineapple with jalapeno cream cheese—all accompanied with housemade guajillo red and jalapeño green hot sauce. Have a drink at the bar where a limited quantity of tamales are available to purchase. Pre-orders may be placed online for pick-up at the restaurant. 5802 Fulton St., Houston, monkeystailhou.com
Momma’s Tamales
Founder Ana Soria keeps her family’s legacy alive by making traditional tamales the way her late mother did. Choose from a number of fillings like pork, chicken, black bean and cheese, spinach and cheese, and brisket and cheese. A half dozen is $8.99, while a dozen goes for $15.99. Momma’s housemade tamales can be ordered online for pick up at its brick-and-mortar store, or at one of the local farmers markets it sets up shop at. 5214 Cedar St., Bellaire, eattamales.com
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
While enchiladas are the name of the game at Sylvia Casares’ well known restaurants, her tamales are a holiday tradition, available through the month of December. Pork and chicken tamales are offered by the dozen for $22. Order 5 dozen or more and receive a complimentary dozen. Orders must be placed at least three days in advance and can be made by calling either location. Multiple locations, sylviasenchiladas.com
Feges BBQ
Feges BBQ is offering a smokey take on the tamale tradition with smoked brisket tamales, available by the dozen for $40. Tamales can be pre-ordered online for pick-up at Feges’ Spring Branch location on December 22, 23, or 24. Tamales can be shipped nationwide too, via Goldbelly. fegesbbq.com
Goode Company
The beloved Houston-based restaurant group is back with its lot of Christmas favorites including the famous Brazos Bottom Pecan pie and chile braised pork tamales sold by the dozen for $27. Orders may be placed online for pick up at one of four restaurant locations. Multiple locations, grocers.goodecompany.com
Tacos A Go Go
Tamales are making their annual appearance for the holidays at this funky taco joint. Pork or veggie tamales can be ordered individually, or by the half dozen for $13. Orders may be placed online or in person at any Tacos A Go Go location through December. Multiple locations, tacosagogo.com
Alamo Tamale Company
Alamo originated in San Antonio in 1962 but got to Houston as fast as it could. Best known for its pork tamales, Alamo also features beef, chicken, jalapeño cheese, spinach, and bean ,as well as a sweet corn tamale. Opt for handmade, which are $9.00 per half dozen and $17.99 per dozen; or machine-rolled, which are $5.50 per half dozen and $10.99 per dozen. Fresh tamales are always available at both locations, but call ahead to inquire about larger orders. Multiple locations, alamotamale.net
H-Town Restaurant Group
The holidays are a special time at chef Hugo Ortega’s restaurants, with each location offering a variety of tamales by the dozen for $28. Find pork with puya sauce at Hugo’sl pork and adobo at Urbe; and mushroom with pipian at Caracol. (Peruse the group’s website for other available options). For tamales in time for Christmas, orders must be placed online by Monday, December 22 for pick-up on Wednesday, December 24 at each respective location. All other orders require two days advance notice. Multiple locations, htownrestaurantgroup.com
