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!