In a lot of Texas homes, the holidays do not really start until a warm bag of tamales lands on the kitchen counter. Some families spend a whole day spreading masa and filling husks together.
Plenty of others, especially in the busy weeks of December, call a favorite shop and order a few dozen instead. This list covers seven tamale spots across the state, from San Antonio and Houston to the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso County, North Texas, and the Coastal Bend.
Each one earns its place for a different reason, whether it is a tiny counter with petite pork tamales, a cafe with habanero flavors and a salsa lineup, or a drive-through that makes picking up a big order easy. Hours, ordering styles, and specialties are included so you can plan ahead…