A variety of tamales are seen on display at Mi Ranchito in South Austin Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
Mikala Compton/American-Statesman
Tamales are beginning to appear on tables across Austin, stacked in foil pans or wrapped by the dozen for pickup. For many families, they are not a side dish but the holiday meal itself.
Tamales, made from masa filled with meat, vegetables or sweets and steamed inside corn husks or banana leaves, have long been part of Texas holiday rituals tied to Mexican and Mexican American culture. While some Austinites still gather for tamaladas at home, many restaurants and markets now offer ready-made options. Here is a guide to where to find holiday tamales in Austin this season.
Article continues below this ad
Ruby assembles tamales as she works in the kitchen at Mi Ranchito in South Austin Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
Mikala Compton/American-Statesman
Central Market
Central Market is offering a holiday tamale meal designed to serve four. The $47.99 package includes chicken tomatillo tamales, Mexican-style rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, avocado tomatillo salsa and crema. Orders are available for in-store pickup only, with a $50 minimum purchase. Holiday orders run through Dec. 22.
Article continues below this ad
North Lamar: 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-206-1000.
South Lamar: 4477 S. Lamar Blvd. 512-899-4300.
Curra’s
Curra’s offers tamales by the dozen starting at $35, with an eight-day advance notice required. Fillings range from pork and chicken to chicken mole, queso birria, vegetarian options and sweet varieties like pumpkin with pecans or blackberry with cream cheese. Tamales can be wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves (for an additional charge) and ordered hot or cold.
Article continues below this ad
Grill Oltorf:614 E. Oltorf St. 512-444-0012.
Hyde Park: 4215 Duval St. 512-596-1860.
Delicious Tamales
Delicious Tamales sells dozens for $13.85 across a wide menu. Options include pork, chicken, bean and cheese, jalapeño-infused fillings, vegetarian blends and seasonal pumpkin tamales. Sweet blends and jalapeño cheese poppers are also available, with hot or cold preparation options.
Article continues below this ad
North: 1700 W. Parmer Lane. 512-488-5299
Oltorf:1931 E. Oltorf St. 512-401-3060
Fresa’s
Fresa’s is offering tamale meals for pickup between Dec. 22 and Dec. 24. Meals include one dozen tamales paired with charro beans, Mexican rice, salsas, queso and guacamole. Prices range from $46 to $48 depending on the filling. Tamales can also be purchased on their own, starting at $28 per dozen.
Article continues below this ad
Lamar:915 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-428-5077.
South First:1703 S. First St. 512-992-2946
Westlake:3600 N. Capital of TX Hwy, Suite A-110. 512-881-2491
Article continues below this ad
H-E-B
H-E-B’s Mi Tienda line provides a range of ready-made tamales, including pork, chicken, spicy red sauce, green salsa and mole varieties. Prices range from $8.99 to $12.99 depending on size and whether they are sold hot or refrigerated.
Article continues below this ad
Mi Ranchito
Mi Ranchito, a family-owned South Austin restaurant, sells tamales year-round with expanded holiday demand. Tamales are available individually or by the half dozen ($16) and dozen ($28), with fillings including pork in guajillo chile, chicken in tomatillo, jalapeño and cheese, bean and cheese, vegetarian, sweet potato and strawberry. Orders can be placed warm, cold or frozen for pickup, delivery or shipping.
Article continues below this ad
817 F.M. 1626. 512-292-8107, miranchitoatx.com.
Nissi Vegan Mexican Cuisine
Nissi offers a vegan tamale plate for $14, featuring three gluten-free tamales filled with red “pork-less” or green “chicken-less” options. Plates include fresh garnishes, with rice and beans available for an additional charge.
Article continues below this ad
9012 Research Blvd. Unit C-6. 512-994-8226, nissivegmex.com.
Rosie’s Tamale House
Rosie’s sells tamales by the half dozen ($10) or dozen ($17). Six tamales served with chili are priced at $12.45. Fillings follow classic preparations wrapped in corn husks.
13436 State Hwy. 71. 512-263-5245, rosies-tamale-house.res-menu.net.
Article continues below this ad
Tamale Addiction
Tamale Addiction specializes in frozen tamales available for pickup, delivery or farmers market distribution. Fillings range from pork with tomatillo sauce and chicken mole to vegetarian options like poblano with cheese and spinach with caramelized onions. Pricing varies by quantity, with packs starting at $5.85 per tamale.
114 E. Parsons St, Manor. 512-278-1775, tamaleaddiction.com.
Article continues below this ad
Tamale House
Tamale House is offering holiday pre-orders for pickup between Dec. 19 and Dec. 24. Individual tamales are $8 each, with six-packs priced at $45 and served with a pint of house-made sauce. Fillings include pork, chicken, bean and cheese and jalapeño.
1707 E. Sixth St. 512-495-9504, tamalehouseeast.com.
VERDAD True Modern Mexican
VERDAD is offering an elevated take on the holiday classic, using heirloom blue and white masa filled with turkey, organic chicken or duck. Cold, vacuum-sealed tamales are available for preorder through Dec. 31, priced at $15 for three, $29 for a half dozen and $49 for a dozen. A dine-in turducken tamale appetizer will be available on Christmas Eve.
Article continues below this ad
Ruby assembles tamales as she works in the kitchen at Mi Ranchito in South Austin Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
Mikala Compton/American-Statesman
2701 Perseverance Dr. 737-358-4225, verdadtruemodernmexican.com.