Where to Find the Best Tamales in Houston

Whether you like yours more deep-fried, stuffed with Cajun-fried turkey or barbecued meats, or more traditional with chicken or pork, there’s no better time for tamales

Like waiting overnight for a Flying Saucer pie at Thanksgiving, tamales are a Houston holiday tradition. Sure, they’re not hard to find in the city year-round, but it’s leading up to Christmas when restaurants, food trucks, and bakeries pull out all the stops, offering sweet and savory varieties — some through Christmas Eve.

Scarfing down a half-dozen may not take long, but plenty of effort and hours of labor go into preparing each one by hand. Behold these 16 destinations that have thoughtfully prepared tamales for Houstonians this holiday season.

Don’t see your favorite tamales on the list? Shout the restaurant in the comments.