Restaurants

Tamales, get your Christmas tamales! Where to order from in Fort Worth this year

Some Texans like to host a tamalada, and others like to buy ready to eat tamales. Whatever you prefer, it’s that time of the year to stock up on the corny deliciousness.

Tamales originated from Mesoamerican cultures– Aztec, Maya, Mixtec, Olmec, Toltec, and the Zapotec– who would make tamales for special occasions. As the Mexican population became more Christian, tamales were made for one of the most important Christian holidays, Christmas.

Texans adopted this tradition from fellow Tex-Mex families .

Tamales are like little gifts you have to unwrap. They have a layer of corn masa wrapped around the filling of choice– chicken, beef, pork, cheese or beans and then steamed in a corn husk.

If you aren’t able to place an order in time, H-E-B and Central Market always sells tamales by the dozen. But if you want a family-made tamale, here’s who’s selling them in Dallas-Fort Worth.

An Ibarra’s lunch of chicken poblano tamales.
An Ibarra’s lunch of chicken poblano tamales. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Where to find tamales in Dallas-Fort Worth

Restaurants to buy tamales from:

Esperanza’s Restaurant and Bakery

  • 2122 North Main St., Fort Worth
  • Call to order, 817-626-5770
  • Only pork and chicken
  • Pick up pork on the same day. For chicken, you must pre-order two days in advance. 
  • Dozen for $19.87.

Ibarra’s

  • 1109 N.W. 25th St., Fort Worth
  • Call to order, 817-625-6391. Order until Dec. 20. 
  • Pork tamales with red sauce. 
  • Dozen for $22.50. 

La Nueva Riograndense

  • 831 N. Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth
  • Call to order, 817-222-0090. 
  • Dozen for $18.

Beacon Cafe

  • 12721 Business Highway 287 N., Fort Worth
  • Place an order online on their website for pickup.
  • Pork, chicken verde and brisket. 
  • Half dozen for $10.99, Dozen for $18.99. 

Mexican Inn

Hot Damn Tamales

  • 713 W Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth
  • Place an order online for pickup or shipping. Frozen to-go only.
  • Pork, beef, chicken verde and jalapeño cheese. 
  • $14 for half a dozen of pork and chicken, $14.50 for half a dozen jalapeño cheese and $15 for half a dozen beef. 
Reata’s tenderloin tamales with pecan mash are the restaurant’s signature dish.
Reata’s tenderloin tamales with pecan mash are the restaurant’s signature dish. Courtesy Reata Restaurant

Family businesses to buy from:

Hilda La Tamalera

  • Facebook message Hilda or text 817-773-0454. 
  • Pork, rajas pepper, bean and cheese, chicken and veggie options. 
  • $10 for half a dozen, $20 for a dozen. 
  • Brisket in hatch chile for $12.50 for half a dozen, $25 for a dozen. 

Mama Lu’s Kitchen

  • Order by texting 817-255-0910 or Facebook message. Pickup in Fort Worth.
  • Pork, chicken, jalepeno cheese.
  • Message for prices. 

Caroline Medina

  • Order by Facebook messaging Caroline. Pickup in Midlothian. 
  • Pork and chicken. 
  • $16 for a dozen. 

Authentic Maria’s Mexican Tamales

  • Order by texting Maria at 817-205-2312 (avoid Whatsapp or messenger). Pickup in Arlington. 
  • Pork, spicy Pork, chicken, spicy chicken, veggie and jalapeño and cheese. $20 per dozen. 
  • Spicy beef, bean and cheese, pumpkin cream cheese and strawberry cream cheese is $25 per dozen.
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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.
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