Time to chuck that pumpkin spice and get your San Marcos cobija because we have officially reached tamal season in the borderland! The smell of masa, red chile, and family traditions filling kitchens all over the Borderland. But one local favorite has taken the celebration to another level: Tamales Lupita in Canutillo now has its very own official day.
Now, we all know how serious tamales are in El Paso; we hunt them down in the parking lot of Food King, our aunts have a tamal plug on speed dial- we take it very seriously. Now, one of our favorite spots has gotten the recognition it deserves!
Only One Texas Tamal Shop Has Its Own Official Day
In a unanimous vote back in December 2023, the El Paso County Commissioners’ Court declared December 18 as “Tamales Lupita Day,” honoring the nearly 40-year-old family business for its “continued dedication and service to El Paso County.”
READ MORE: The Very Serious Business of Tamales in El Paso
The resolution was introduced by Precinct 4 Commissioner Sergio Coronado, who called the Canutillo restaurant “a culturally renowned part of our holiday season.”
A Borderland Christmas Tradition
For many El Paso families, Christmas isn’t complete without tamales on the table, and for generations, Tamales Lupita has been the go-to spot for that holiday fix.
Run by Cindy Carrillo, daughter of founders Mundo and Lidia Carrillo, Lupita’s has become more than a restaurant, it’s part of the region’s cultural DNA; just look at the lines they get EVERY. YEAR.
The holiday season is no small feat for Lupita’s staff. According to a 2016 interview with KFOX14/CBS4, it takes roughly two months of preparation to handle the Christmas rush.
Four Decades of Flavor and Family
This October, Tamales Lupita will mark 40 years of serving the Borderland. From a small Canutillo kitchen to a countywide celebration, their story is one of family, flavor, and cultural pride.
READ MORE: These Famous Texas Tamales Fly Off the Shelves Every Year
So whether you buy them by the dozen for Christmas eve, gift them to neighbors, or eat a tamal straight off the comal the next morning (like every true El Pasoan has), Tamales Lupita is proof that some traditions deserve their own day.
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Tamales are a very serious business in El Paso
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Gallery Credit: Joanna Barba