For many Latinos, the holiday season is associated with tamales. Each year, friends and families settle on a date and prepare a mammoth amount in assembly-line fashion. They do so because they also give their homemade tamales as holiday gifts. Here’s where to find holiday tamales in LA.
Downtown LA
Yucantan-style tamales at Chicken Itza
These tamales are exceptionally moist and soft because they are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. For a unique experience, try the Tamal Horneado, filled with achiote-seasoned chicken, hard-cooked eggs, sliced tomatoes, and epazote. This tamale is baked instead of steamed, taking on a crunchy texture. Prices range from $4.50 to $6.95.
Chicken Itza, 3655 S Grand Ave; DTLA; 213.741.1075; chichenitzarestaurant.com
Worth the drive for Lupita’s Tamales
Moist and flavorful, Lupitas offers chicken, beef, pork, cheese, and corn tamales. Although best known for their tamales, they also prepare tacos, burritos, and tortas. The tamales range from $2.73 to $4.10 per piece and are slightly cheaper by the dozen.
Lupita’s Tamales, 3027 N San Fernando Rd; Glassell Park; 323.258.0667
West Hollywood
Thanksgiving Tamales at Gracias Madre
Limited-edition, organic tamales crafted by Executive Chef Diana Briscoe. Order by Nov 24, and pick up in-store on Nov 27. Select from Tamales Rojos with jackfruit birria, Tamales Verdes with rajas and corn, or Tamales Mixed (6 Tamales Rojos and 6 Tamales Verdes).
Gracias Madre, 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood; graciasmadre.com
East LA
It’s not a secret at La Indiana Tamales
Their website claims that they are the best-kept secret in LA. Don’t believe it because this is one of LA’s most popular tamale shops. I love their pork and chicken tamales, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. Purchase by the dozen, half-dozen, or a la carte. Prices range from $26.99 – $31.99 per dozen. Order ahead and skip the lines.
La Indiana Tamales, 1142 S Indiana St, Los Angeles, 90023; 323.262.4682; laindianatamales.com
Find Sweet Tamales at La Mascota
Family-operated since 1952, La Mascota is a popular neighborhood bakery featuring pan dulce. Their red chile pork is my favorite; it is also available with beef. They also feature green chile cheese or chicken, a vegetarian tamale, and a sweet tamale made with pineapple. All are priced at $2.74 each.
La Mascota, 2715 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles; 90023; 323.263.5513; lamascotabakery.com
Family-Style Dining at Tamales Lillianas
While Tamales Liliana’s is famous for its tamales, it is better known as a family restaurant serving quality Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The tamales they offer are Red Chile with Pork, Green Chile with Chicken, and Sweet Pineapple with Raisins. They are $3 each.
Tamales Lilianas, 4629 E Cesar E Chavez Ave Los Angeles, 90022; or 3448 E 1st Street, Los Angleles 90063; tamaleslilianas.site
West Adams
Tamal de Mole at Gish Bac
If you’d prefer a flavorful Oaxacan experience, go for the Tamal de Mole at Gish Bac. It is stuffed with chicken and wrapped around a banana leaf to ensure moistness. They pour their rich negro mole sauce on top. You probably won’t gift a dozen because they are $7.50 each.
Gish Bac, 4163 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, 90018; 323.737.5050; gishbacla.com
Westside
Senorita’s Tamales includes vegan options
In addition to traditional chicken and pork tamales, Senoritas Tamales features vegan varieties such as Soyrizo Potato Cheese, Black Bean and Cheese, Spinach, Pinenuts and Cheese, and Tofu Italian Sausage, Mushroom and Cheese. To order, contact Raquel at 717.382.6253 or email senoritastamales@gmail.com. Orders must be placed a week in advance.
Senorita’s Tamales, West LA; 717.382.6253
Smoked Meat Tamales at Maple Block
If you enjoy smoked brisket and chicken, order Maple Block’s popular holiday tamales. Select from smoked brisket in chile rojo, chicken in chile verde, or their charred poblano. Preorder by Dec 24.
Maple Block Meat Co, 3973 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City; 310.313.6328; mapleblockmeat.com
South Bay
Size Matters at Tamale Man!
When you visit, you’ll likely be asked if you want the Super Duper Tamale. It’s enormous, topped with a generous amount of sliced avocado and drizzled with crema. If that isn’t enough, it comes with rice and beans.
Tamale Man, 1654 W Carson St, Torrance; 424.558.8773
Free Tamale Deliveries in Long Beach
Lola’s tamales are popular because they are soft and moist. They include chicken in salsa verde, roasted pork in salsa guajillo, roasted poblano pepper and cheese, or sweet corn. This year, Lola’s teams up with Alley Cat Deliveries and offers free tamale deliveries (Dec 12, 18, and 23) to the Bixby Knolls and Cal Heights neighborhoods of Long Beach.
Lola’s, 4140 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach; 562.349.0100; lolasmexicancuisine.com
Lola’s, 2030 E 4th St, Long Beach; 562.343.5506
Orange County
Limited Edition Flavors at Miguel’s Jr. Homestyle Mexican Food
Housemade with 100% stone-ground premium masa, Miguel’s Jr. tamales are hand-crafted following Co-Founder and Chief Recipe Officer Mary Vasquez’s secret family recipe. This season, Miguel’s Jr. offers a delicious lineup of traditional Chile Rojo Pork and Spicy Chicken Tamales, plus two exciting limited-edition flavors: Turkey Mole (available Nov 13-27) and Chile Cheese (Nov 29-Dec 10). Mix and match flavors to try both award-winning recipes throughout the holiday season while supplies last. Twenty different locations from Orange to Riverside counties. miguelsjr.com