Best Tamales 2013

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Best Tamales

Alamo Tamale & Taco #1

Photo by Daniel Kramer

You don't have to wait until Christmas to experience the best tamales in Houston; just take a short trip up to the north side and visit Alamo Tamale's recently renovated lunch counter and taqueria. There you will find an assortment of authentic tamales to choose from. They're available in pork, chicken, bean and queso con jalapeño. Choose from the casero (or homemade) variety ($10.99 plus tax per dozen for chicken, bean and queso; $12.99 plus tax for pork) or the smaller but equally delicious machine-made tamales ($5.99 plus tax per dozen, all flavors). With the perfect ratio of masa to stuffing, these tamales are almost as good as your abuelita's!

809 Berry Rd., Houston, 77022 Map
713-692-6363

Best Croissants

Croissant Brioche French Bakery and Cafe

Dave Rosales

The perfectly buttery and flaky croissant is hard to find, unless you're in Paris, of course. However, Croissant Brioche in West University makes you feel as if you just stepped inside a little Parisian cafe. While you can't go wrong with a plain croissant, the almond is where it's at; it's a specialty at Croissant Brioche. Thin slices of toasted almonds sit atop a subtly sweet layer of almond paste, but the best surprise is the creamy almond paste filling between the thin croissant layers. If you have a hankering for something savory, order the ham and cheese or the beef sausage croissant — either is perfect for breakfast or lunch.

2435 Rice Blvd., Houston, 77005 Map
713-526-9188

Best Of Houston^®

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Best Tamales

Alamo Tamale & Taco #1

Best Croissants

Croissant Brioche French Bakery and Cafe

Best Of Houston®

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