Anonymous wrote:Taco Bamba

Do do any locations sell tamales? I’ve only seen tacos there no tamales

Muchas Gracias

Taco Bamba

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Mi Rancho in Silver Spring. It’s not DC, but they are mexican tamales. They are as close to abuelitas as I have had.
Trader Joe’s is a close second; she’d kill me if she ever heard me say that!

PS raisins are pretty common in Mexican Piccadilly. I’ve never had it in tamales but I can see that as a legitimate choice. Now I’m craving Piccadillo.

I’m from Arizona so I get you, OP.
I haven’t had the ones from cieko Tojo but they are a great restaurant so I’d guess those are good.
The Tucson Tamale Co. Has started selling tamales in the freezer section at some local groceries—I’ve seen them at Harris teeter and giant. This is a company that has been operating in Tucson for about 25 years and the tamales are still made in Tucson (and sold fresh at their store there.). I’ve bought them and they are pretty good. I microwave them in a wet towel — you need to watch the temp and not overcook them.
They don’t have as many flavors as you can get in Tucson though.
You can also order online from El Charro in Tucson — 100 year old restaurant. It’s not cheap but they are good. I did that one year when I couldn’t make it home during the pandemic. They also come frozen. If they have their sweet cinnamon pumpkin ones, those are the bomb for dessert with chocolate syrup. But the traditional flavors are great too.

Cielo rojo is the best we have found - they only make them once or twice a year though (now Thanksgiving Eve). Again, not perfect, but delicious and really darn close to what you’d get from MX

Trader Joes

I’ve lived here 15 years and gave up looking for good tamales. You have to make your own masa if you want the good ones. It’s easy to do.

There are literally thousands of different types of tamales in Latin America. Even within Mexico you will find a huge variety of tamales. Although I’ve never heard of green beans in tamales, you might have had loroco, which is very popular.

I’m very sorry I wish I had a recommendation for you, but I make my own Mexican tamales. What I should do is start selling them because there is a real need and every year I see people asking for places to buy them.

You need to go to a Mexican place. Super taco in Adams Morgan, or Taqueria Habanero

Republic cantina is selling tamales now for the holidays. I think cielo rojo too.

There aren't tons of Mexican families here (most newer immigrants are Honduran or El Salvadoran). It is hard to even find masa preparada to make your own.

Where do people get Mexican tamales in DC? The ones I've tried since moving here are always disappointing, either they're the banana-leaf style (which is a glaring indicator I'm not getting what I'm craving) or they trick you into thinking you've found something good with a corn husk but then there's like, green beans or raisins inside (both real examples). Apparently this is acceptable in Central American cuisine; I want no part of it.

I will get some shipped from Texas for a Christmas present but I'd like to be able to buy some locally to serve guests too. Does anyone have a good recommendation?