‘Tis the season for tamales—a beloved Houston tradition that signals the start of the holidays. Many local restaurants offer signature and festive specials for folks to bring to their own celebrations. From savory pork and mushroom-filled to sweet corn tamales by the dozen and half-dozen, here’s where to find the tastiest holiday tamales in Houston.
Alamo Tamales, 809 Berry
Slinging the goods since 1960, pop by this local darling to score holiday tamales by the dozen in flavors from spicy pork and chicken mole to elote and jalapeño-queso.
Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Restaurant, 3601 Kirby
This Houston favorite rocks an entire menu dedicated to the seasonal favorite, launching its annual Tamale Stand and preordering on November 15 and running ‘til January 6. Additionally, Picos has Tamales Oaxaquenos (three banana leaf-wrapped tamales filled with your choice of pork, chicken or portobello/huitlacoche) on its year-round menu as an appetizer.
Balderas Tamale Factory, 12139 Jones
This family-owned tamale factory offers yea-round treats by the dozen and half-dozen, from hot pork to bean and cheese.
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak
Tamales are $28 per dozen, with options including Puerco (pork with mole coloradito), Pollo (chicken with salsa costeña) and Hongo (mushrooms with pipian rojo). Thanksgiving orders should be placed by Sunday, November 24 for pick-up on Wednesday, November 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cochinita & co., 5420 Lawndale
“Made by moms,” these epic tamales are $13.50 per dozen, with flavors including shredded chicken and roasted green salsa, shredded pork and salsa roja, roasted poblanos and panela cheese, black beans and epazote.
Molina’s Cantina, 7901 Westheimer, 3801 Bellaire, 6300 FM 1463
For a limited time through the New Year, Molina’s traditional, chili-laced braised pork tamales are available for a steal at $15.95 per dozen for pick-up/takeaway orders. For large orders, provide at least 24 hours’ advance notice.
Monkey’s Tail, 5802 Fulton
Monkey’s Tail is offering its Green Chile Chicken and Red Chile Pork with other flavor specials, available in limited quantities at the bar or for preorder. Order by Sunday for a Monday pickup or by Wednesday for Thursday pickup. Tamales run six for $9 or $16 per dozen.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, 1140 Eldridge
Consider Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen to be Houston’s own tamale North Pole. as owner Sylvia Casares offers tamale-making classes, holiday specials and Tamalada parties. Folks can order chicken or pork tamales or a combination of both for $22 a dozen for pickup. Or buy five dozen and get a dozen more tamales at no cost with a promo that begins right after Thanksgiving and ends December 31. Casares will also be offering three Saturday afternoon classes on the Ancient Art of Making Tamales on November 16, December 7 and December 21; and hosting a Tamalada on Thursday, December 19.
URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, 713-726-8273
The Mexican street food favorite offers tamales for $28 per dozen. Choose from 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).
Wild Montrose, 1609 Westheimer
Get holiday tamales by the dozen, with choices between creamy black beans with queso Oaxaca (recommended with the jalapeño crema) for $20 or Wagyu beef cheek barbacoa (recommended with the roasted habanero salsa) for $24. Infused salsa is $10 each. Thanksgiving tamale orders must be placed by Friday, November 22 at midnight. Pick up is at WILD Montrose on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26-27 during regular business hours.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
