Tamales! Five places in Fort Worth to find delicious Christmas tamales for under $20

Growing up in a large Mexican family, tamales are a staple for Christmas.

I mean, we really had no choice. If all 70 family members wanted to be fed, we had to have an absurd amount of both American holiday food and, of course, tamales. And this may be an unpopular opinion, but I find American holiday food to be particularly nauseating.

However, I digress. I understand that this is a widespread Christmas tradition, not just a Gonzales family tradition, which is why I scoured Fort Worth for the best tamales deals.

Why are tamales a Christmas tradition?

Tamales are a Meso-American (the region of Mexico all the way down to the Central Pacific coast of South America) dish dating back to the 1500s, when Aztecs and Maya colonies would enjoy them, according to the Library of Congress.

However, eating tamales for Christmas came about because of a long-time Mexican tradition, the Feast of our Lady Guadalupe.

According to Fransiscan Friars, “The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe commemorates the Virgin Mary appearing to a peasant in 1531. It’s a special day for Mexican Americans, too, because of their cultural and religious identity in this icon of Catholicism.”

The feasting season begins Dec. 12 and ends on epiphany, Jan. 6. Tamales are a key part to the menu, hence why tamales become extra popular around Christmas time. And, tamaladas — tamale-making parties — are ever popular during December and other celebrations during the year.

Traditionally, tamales are made with masa (a dough of ground corn) and filled with meats or sweets. They are then wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and steamed. Popular flavors include pork, chicken, beef, cheese and jalapeno, or even chocolate.

Let me tell you, holiday tamale deals are not easy to find. I will say that searching “Fort Worth tamales” on Facebook gives lots of good options, too.

Where to get budget-friendly Christmas tamales in Fort Worth

While these may not taste like my Nana’s, you will not be catching me toiling in the kitchen to make my own. Instead, one of these options will be a close second.

Hot Damn Tamales:

• Online orders only, but based in Fort Worth.

• Contact eat@HotDamnTamales.com or 817-523-1836 for questions.

• Place an order online for your holiday tamales.

• Half dozen for $14-15 (depending on the flavor).

• Pork, beef, chicken and hatch green chile, queso and jalapeno or vegan black bean

H-E-B:

• Any H-E-B location.

• Order online for pickup or go in person.

• Reheat and serve hot options.

• Dozen for $10.

• Pork, chicken, beef, jalapeno and cheese, beans and corn.

Ibarra’s:

• 1109 NW 25th St., Fort Worth

• Place an online order or go in person on Christmas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Half dozen for $16.50, or three for $12.50.

• Pork tamales.

Crystal’s Homemade Tamales:

• 2726 Lipscomb St., Suite 101, Fort Worth.

• Order online for pickup or delivery.

• Half dozen for $12 ($15 for brisket); dozen for $20 (for brisket, breaking budget at $30).

• Pork, chicken, brisket, jalapeno and cheese and vegan

El Pina Tacos:

• 401 FM 1187, Aledo

• Pre-order for Christmas until Dec. 24 by calling 817-253-6024.

• Dozen for $20.

• Green chicken and chile rojo pork

What Fort Worth places are you curious about? Is there a restaurant that you have been dying to try? Or an experience for you and your family?

There is no limit, except for the $20 cap..

Fill out the form below or email me, Ella, at egonzales@star-telegram.com.

Ella Gonzales

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.