There’s no experience more disappointing than unwrapping a corn husk to find a dry, tasteless tamale. I’ve had my fair share and while you can try reviving it with some sauce and cheese, the masa remains dry, the filling bland, and will overall just leave you with a disillusioned view in trying to find delicious Mexican food away from home.
Don’t fret! We’ve compiled a list of some restaurants around the state that offer deliciously moist, flavorful tamales that will have your taste buds screaming in delight. Check them out!
But, first, let’s give a shout out to all the amazing tamales you can find cooking in your mom or grandma’s kitchens, and those sold by your local tamale lady/man in a store parking lot.
shaynabright/Flickr Those, quite honestly, are the best.
- El Charro Cafe, Tucson
El Charro Cafe/Yelp
El Charro Cafe/Yelp One of the oldest restaurants in Arizona is also home to some delicious, handmade tamales. They’re just what you expect: hot, moist, flavorful, and with plenty of savory filling. Address: 311 North Court Avenue, Tucson
- Guayo’s El Rey, Miami
Guayo’s El Rey/Yelp
Guayo’s El Rey/Yelp This copper country favorite consistently serves delicious dishes, including tasty tamales. Order them as part of a combo plate or just a plate of two or three! Address: 716 West Sullivan Street, Miami
- La Piñata, Phoenix
La Piñata/Facebook
La Piñata/Facebook This restaurant recently relocated and got quite the makeover but you’ll still find some amazingly moist tamales here. You know these are the real deal because the restaurant serves them sauce-free unless you request it. Address: 5521 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix
- Las Herraduras Mexican Restaurant, Yuma
Las Herraduras Mexican Restaurant/Yelp
Las Herraduras Mexican Restaurant/Yelp Yuma is home to many tasty Mexican restaurants and this one serves tamales that are soft, moist, savory, and even with a hint of sweetness to the masa. The only thing that makes these even better is just the right amount of red sauce on top. Address: 2256 South 4th Avenue, Yuma
- Lerua’s Fine Mexican Food, Tucson
Lerua’s Fine Mexican Food/Yelp
Lerua’s Fine Mexican Food/Yelp These tamales are handmade with love from scratch and you can taste it! The restaurant is known for their green corn tamales but you can find a good variety of flavors here, including seasonal versions throughout the year. Address: 2005 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
- MartAnne’s Cafe, Flagstaff
MartAnne’s Cafe/Yelp
MartAnne’s Cafe/Yelp Chilaquiles, burritos, huevos rancheros, tamales. Is there anything this restaurant can’t get right? Flagstaff has slim picking for quality Mexican food but you can definitely find a good meal here. Address: 112 East Route 66, Flagstaff
- Santiago’s, Bisbee
Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant/Facebook Moist, flavorful, and the perfect texture. What else could you ask for in a tamale? Address: 1 Howell Avenue, Bisbee
- Sofia’s Mexican Food, Gila Bend
Sofia’s Mexican Food/Yelp
Sofia’s Mexican Food/Yelp Gila Bend doesn’t get mentioned very often when it comes to delicious restaurants but this little place is one you shouldn’t miss. Their tamales are tasty and don’t skimp on the meat fillings! Address: 530 West Pima Street, Gila Bend
- The Tamale Store, Phoenix
The Tamale Store/Yelp
The Tamale Store/Yelp
Want only the best when it comes to your tamales? This shop is just the place! You’ll find a wide variety of tamales that are made by hand and range from spicy to sweet.
Address: 13046 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
- Tucson Tamale Company, Tucson
Tucson Tamale Company/Yelp
Tucson Tamale Company/Yelp I don’t think this list would be complete without mentioning Tucson Tamale Company, which has three locations in the city and you can find a selection in quite a few grocery stores around the state. However, if you prefer your tamale fresh and piping hot, then try out one of their restaurants. Address: 2545 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
Oh, my tummy is already rumbling just thinking of all those tamales. If you have a favorite place that you think Arizonans should try out, feel free to share it in the comments!
shaynabright/Flickr
Those, quite honestly, are the best.
El Charro Cafe/Yelp
One of the oldest restaurants in Arizona is also home to some delicious, handmade tamales. They’re just what you expect: hot, moist, flavorful, and with plenty of savory filling. Address: 311 North Court Avenue, Tucson
Guayo’s El Rey/Yelp
This copper country favorite consistently serves delicious dishes, including tasty tamales. Order them as part of a combo plate or just a plate of two or three! Address: 716 West Sullivan Street, Miami
La Piñata/Facebook
This restaurant recently relocated and got quite the makeover but you’ll still find some amazingly moist tamales here. You know these are the real deal because the restaurant serves them sauce-free unless you request it. Address: 5521 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix
Las Herraduras Mexican Restaurant/Yelp
Yuma is home to many tasty Mexican restaurants and this one serves tamales that are soft, moist, savory, and even with a hint of sweetness to the masa. The only thing that makes these even better is just the right amount of red sauce on top. Address: 2256 South 4th Avenue, Yuma
Lerua’s Fine Mexican Food/Yelp
These tamales are handmade with love from scratch and you can taste it! The restaurant is known for their green corn tamales but you can find a good variety of flavors here, including seasonal versions throughout the year. Address: 2005 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
MartAnne’s Cafe/Yelp
Chilaquiles, burritos, huevos rancheros, tamales. Is there anything this restaurant can’t get right? Flagstaff has slim picking for quality Mexican food but you can definitely find a good meal here. Address: 112 East Route 66, Flagstaff
Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Moist, flavorful, and the perfect texture. What else could you ask for in a tamale? Address: 1 Howell Avenue, Bisbee
Sofia’s Mexican Food/Yelp
Gila Bend doesn’t get mentioned very often when it comes to delicious restaurants but this little place is one you shouldn’t miss. Their tamales are tasty and don’t skimp on the meat fillings! Address: 530 West Pima Street, Gila Bend
The Tamale Store/Yelp
Want only the best when it comes to your tamales? This shop is just the place! You’ll find a wide variety of tamales that are made by hand and range from spicy to sweet.
Address: 13046 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
Tucson Tamale Company/Yelp
I don’t think this list would be complete without mentioning Tucson Tamale Company, which has three locations in the city and you can find a selection in quite a few grocery stores around the state. However, if you prefer your tamale fresh and piping hot, then try out one of their restaurants. Address: 2545 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
For more restaurant suggestions, check out our article featuring some favorite places to get a plate of mouthwatering enchiladas.
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