Houston’s holiday season wouldn’t be complete without tamales, and the city’s favorite spots — from longtime family-run kitchens in East End to modern Mexican tables in Uptown — are serving up seasonal staples and special flavors. Whether you’re stocking up for Thanksgiving and Christmas, grabbing a batch for a neighborhood holiday party, or picking up a few for last-minute gifts, these local restaurants make it easy to bring tamales home.
Alamo Tamales, 809 Berry, 2520 Airline
This local tamale staple uses family recipes to craft grandma style tamales by the dozen. Pop by to pick up tamales in flavors from the best-selling homemade pork and jalapeno-cheese to the holiday-only sweet tamales.
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak
Caracol is offering holiday tamales for $28 per dozen. Flavors include Puerco, pork with mole coloradito; Pollo, chicken with salsa costeña; and Hongo, mushrooms with pipián rojo. Advance orders can be placed online.
El Bolillo Bakery, multiple locations
Grab tamales by the half-dozen for $7.49, with from fillings like pork, pork habanero, chicken and hatch chili, and rajas con queso.
Feges BBQ Spring Branch, 2817 Long Point
Snag smoked brisket tamales by the dozen for local pick-up and nationwide shipping this holiday season.
Hugo’s, 1602 Westheimer
Bring the flavors of Hugo’s Authentic Regional Mexican cuisine to your holiday table with to-go tamales by the dozen ($28), including pork with chile puya, chicken mole poblano, and mushroom with pipian.
Maximo, Local Foods Group’s progressive Mexican restaurant, is offering tamales by the dozen (choose from chicken and mole or rajas con queso for $48/dozen). Thanksgiving orders should be placed by November 20 for pick-up at Local Foods Rice Village on Wednesday, November 26.
Molina’s Cantina, 7901 Westheimer, 3801 Bellaire, 6300 FM-1463
Get your tamale fix by ordering online Classic Pork Tamales ($16.95 per dozen through New Year’s) for pickup. For large orders, provide at least 24 hours advance notice.
Monkey’s Tail, 5802 Fulton
Launching December 1, the Lindale Park neighborhood bar is kicking off tamale season with a trio of housemade flavors: Red Chile Pork, Green Chile Chicken and Grilled Pineapple, Jalapeño Cream Cheese. Pricing is $9 for six or $16 for a dozen, and each order is served with your choice of Monkey’s Tail’s signature guajillo red or jalapeño green hot sauce.
The Original Ninfa’s, 2704 Navigation, 1700 Post Oak
Customers can order the Ninfa’s Hot Tamale Box, which includes 2 dozen tamales for $50. Guests can choose Beef Birria or Pork En Guajillo tamales, or a combo of both. Each box also comes with a pint of Salsa Tomatillo and a pint of Salsa Molcajete. Orders must be placed at least four hours in advance if guests want them cooked. Frozen tamales are also available in 1-dozen bundles for $24 each for future enjoyment. Orders can be placed online or by phone.
Picos, 3601 Kirby
Picos is bringing back its expansive seasonal menu one last time, offering both Norteños and Oaxaqueños with sweet, savory and vegetarian options. Grab classics like Pork in Red Chile, Chicken in Green Chile and Black Mole Chicken, and even dessert tamales such as Piña Colada, Sweet Raisin and Chocolate. Look out for Black Friday specials, where customers can stock up for the holidays with a buy five dozen, get one free special.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, 1140 Eldridge
Tamales by the dozen are available in pork or chicken varieties for $22 per dozen, and guests receive a complimentary dozen tamales when ordering five dozen. Orders must be placed at least three days in advance by calling one of the two locations. The special holiday offer is valid through December 31.
Tacos A Go Go, multiple locations
Tamales are back at Tacos A Go Go, available at all locations now through December. Guests can enjoy a half-dozen tamales in pork or veggie for $13, served hot or chilled. Single tamales are also available for individual orders. Orders can be placed online or in-store.
URBE, 1101 Uptown Park
Chef Hugo Ortega is offering tamales for $28 per dozen, including Tamales de Pecho de Res (brisket), Tamales de Puerco con Adobo (pork in adobo), Tamales de Hongos (mushroom), and Tamales de Pollo in Salsa Verde (chicken in green sauce). Thanksgiving orders should be placed by Sunday, November 23 for pick-up on Wednesday, November 26.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.