Whether you like sweet or savory, National Tamale Day celebrates a traditional Mexican dish made with cornmeal and filled with a variety of meats, vegetables or fruits.
Here are four restaurants that will help Houstonians celebrate National Tamale Day.
ALAMO TAMALES: Houston‘s popular tamale purveyor offers handmade tamales (pork, beef, chicken, turkey, beans) for $15.99 dozen and machine-made tamales (mild pork, spicy pork, beef, chicken, spinach ) for $9.99 dozen. Available at 809 Berry; alamotamale.net.
Alamo Tamales
Michael Paulsen / Houston ChronicleSYLVIA’S ENCHILADA KITCHEN: Chef Sylvia Casares’ pork or chicken tamales are available at both locations, 6401 Woodway (call 713-334-7295) and 1140 Eldridge Pkwy. (call 832-230-3842). sylviasenchiladas.com. Casares will also be hosting a tamalada party with a tamale-making class at 1140 Eldridge Pkwy. One must reserve; call 832-230-3842 to reserve.

Sylvia’s enchilada cooking
Paula MurphyCARACOL: They will have a special Trio of Tamales at Hugo Ortega’s Galleria neighborhood restaurant including 1 vegetable tamal corn leaf wrapped in Paloma green tomatillo sauce, 1 chicken tamal corn leaf wrapped in mole pasilla and 1 banana leaf tamal with fish covered with yellow mole (24 dozen dollars). Order online at caracol.net for pickup or visit at 2200 Post Oak.

Caracol
james heardTHE MOLINA CANTEEN: Houston’s oldest family-run Tex-Mex restaurant offers its traditional tamales at its three locations: 7901 Westheimer, 713-782-0861; 3801 Bellaire, 713-432-1626; and 6300 FM 1463 in Fulshear, 832-789-6450; molinascantina.com.

Molina’s canteen
Julie Sofer
Featured Culinary and Cultural Stories