If you don't have a Mexican grandmother/mother of your own, here's where to get the best tamales in the Bay Area to unwrap on Christmas Eve.
Third generation tamale-maker Tina "Tamale" Ramos of La Boriqueña Mexicatessen, a restaurant and grocery in Old Oakland, is diligently whipping up tamales, sauces, and sides just in time for your Christmas feast. You can't go wrong with the succulent chunks of pork enveloped in hand-ground masa and served to-go in a corn-husk pocket, made famous in Oakland by Tina's grandmother. All orders must be places by December 20, so don't hesitate. Place order here.
Want your tamales to come in a beautiful ceramic pot you can use for the rest of the year? Then you're going to love the Dominica Pot. A special collaboration between Cosecha and Travis McFlynn, an Oakland ceramist who runs Sara MC Design Studio, the pot was inspired by chef Dominica's abuelita, whose tamales, made in a cherished earthenware pot, filled the holidays with warm aromas. Get the limited edition pot with Cosecha's holiday tamales while they last. Place order here.
Donna's Tamales
I didn't think it was possible (and I wasn't sure I wanted it) but Donna's Tamales have found a way to make tamales healthy and delicious at the same time. All their offerings are low-fat and vegetarian, but don't think that that takes away from the flavor. Opt for the cheese chili corn tamale or red and black beans with yams tamale. And if you're not sick of them yet, you can always pick up sweet corn roasted chili tamales for dessert. Find them at a store near you.
Tamales filled with Oaxacan mole, green chili and pork, rajas, spinach and cheese, and even tofu are steamed the traditional way at this Mission eatery. Just email asselk45@icloud.com to order, and they'll make whatever your heart desires— seriously.