Here's where you can find some of the best tamales in Albuquerque

No meat, all Masa: ABQ vegetarian cuisine vendor now offering catering

mrs110822b/November 8, 2022/Albuquerque Sally Bazan (cq) shows the difference in size between a traditional tamale and the ones offered at her pop-up restaurant, Masa at the Street Food Institute Commissary Kitchen in Albuquerque NM on November 8, 2022. Mike Sandoval for the Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque NM

Rachel Driskell
Rachel Driskell Special to the Journal
Published Modified

There's something undeniably special about the aroma of steamed corn husks filled with flavorful masa and delicious fillings.

Tamales, a cherished tradition, hold a significant place in the hearts and stomachs of locals and visitors alike. And when it comes to finding the best tamales in Albuquerque, the options are as diverse as they are mouthwatering.

Here's five highly-reviewed spots to order some delicious tamales.

1. El Modelo Mexican Foods

El Modelo is known for their traditional Mexican fare, particularly their tamales. Order them fresh from the website and avoid parking issues with a quick pick-up. Whether you prefer pork with red chile or chicken with green chile, these large, handmade tamales keep El Modelo customers coming back for more.

A reviewer said: “My fiancee and I are addicted to this place. (even our puppy gets soooooo excited when he recognizes where we're driving to. He gets just one of his dad's tamales.)"

Address: 1715 2nd St. Southwest (505) 242-1843

Hours: Open Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Friday - Saturday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

2. Mary & Tito's Cafe

This iconic restaurant has been a staple in Albuquerque since 1963. While known for its delicious New Mexican cuisine overall, customers also enjoy their tamale plate. Tamales can also be ordered as a side item, so eat them to your heart’s content.

Pro tip: Logistically, there is very little parking around the area so you might want to try side streets or at adjacent lots.

A customer review: “This is a great place if you're in the mood for home cooking with great service. There are often long wait times, but the wait is worth it for the food and atmosphere. If you're in the downtown area and want to experience true New Mexican cuisine, I couldn't rate this place higher.”

Address: 2711 4th St. Northwest (505) 344-6266

Hours: Closed Sunday, open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

3. La Mexicana Tortilla Co.

Family owned and operated for over 90 years, this spot is known for their tamales. La Mexicana’s Hot Tamale Restaurant Kitchen is a storefront and restaurant open for carry-out only. Orders for tamales should be placed online.

A customer review: “Very delicious food. I don't like a lot of restaurant tamales, but these are basically just like my family's but bigger. They make their own chips, taco shells and tostadas, along with flour and corn tortillas (yellow, white, blue). Tacos are similar to Perico's style (fried up to order). Both the red and green chile taste like they should.”

Address: 304 Coal Ave. Southwest (505) 242-2558

Hours: Closed Sundays and Monday, open Tuesday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

4. La Guelaguetza Mexican Restaurant LLC

According to customers, this simple restaurant offers traditional tacos and tamales, plus comfort food stews. Customers often comment on the small size of the space, but swear the authentic homemade taste is always worth the wait.

A customer review: “It is oddly difficult to find a variety of Mexican cuisines in Albuquerque: there is Tex Mex and there is New Mex, but rarely cuisines from the various states of Mexico. The Oaxacan cuisine at La Guelaguetza is authentic and delicious."

Address: 816 Old Coors Dr. Southwest (505) 916-0095

Hours: Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

5. Cervantes Restaurant & Lounge

Known for its friendly atmosphere and flavorful New Mexican cuisine, Cervantes Restaurant & Lounge is a local favorite for tamales. This restaurant serves house made New Mexican dishes in unpretentious quarters.

A customer review: “Cool spot to grab some New Mexican fare located conveniently close to Kirtland. It's certainly a unique building, and we ended up eating in an old-school lounge looking room. The menu consists of typical fare you find locally here, including tacos, burritos and tamales. The food was good, and was just the right portion size for lunch. The sopapillas were great as well. Service was super friendly and the food arrived quickly.”

Address: 5801 Gibson Blvd. Southeast (505) 262-2253

Hours: Closed Sunday - Monday, open Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tamales and places to get them in Albuquerque

Shoppers line up at El Modelo to purchase their traditional holiday favorites, photographed on Friday December 24, 2010.
Carne adovada chimichanga at award-winning Mary & Titos.
gbs111109g/SPECIAL SECTIONS/Greg Sorber -- Caramales are handmade with pinones wrapped in corn husks to reemble tamales made by Senor Murphy, a Santa Fe candy maker.
Pork tamales with calabacitas and rice at Posa's on Zafarano in Santa Fe, Wednesday January 18, 2017.
tamales
Green tamale pie dinner served with chips and salsa and sopapillas. Thursday, November, 19, 2009.
20230908-venue-v10eats3
Café Castro’s El Plato Grande with pork tamale, chile relleno and cheese enchilada.
WESTSIDE SNOW
Steven Gallegos, one of the owners of "Hot Tamales" restaurant in Rio Rancho uses a show shovel to clear the snow off the awnings of the restaurant Tuesday morning after a storm dropped about 3 inches of snow in the area closing schools and roads for a while Tuesday,December,16,2008.
The Grand Tomas combination plate at La Salita has one enchilada, red chile pork tamale and a ground beef burrito, as well as a chile relleno and a taco.
20230804-venue-eats4
Mac’s Special Mexican Plate offers a tamale, enchilada and taco with beans and rice.
The Burrito Ladyis a hole in the wall you might miss if you're not looking carefully. Owner Consuelo Flores started a business selling tamales at Christmas. Eventually, Flores was asked if she could make burritos as well. Two months later she was selling enough burritos to quit working as a waitress at Garduño's and open the restaurant without taking out a business loan.
Gloria Lopez makes tamales in the kitchen at El Modelo in 2009. (Dean Hanson/Journal)
No meat, all Masa: ABQ vegetarian cuisine vendor now offering catering
mrs110822b/November 8, 2022/Albuquerque Sally Bazan (cq) shows the difference in size between a traditional tamale and the ones offered at her pop-up restaurant, Masa at the Street Food Institute Commissary Kitchen in Albuquerque NM on November 8, 2022. Mike Sandoval for the Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque NM
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
Photo Elaine D. Briseno/Journal La Mexicana Tortilla Co. near Downtown serves hot dishes and also sells packaged. New Mexico staples like beans and tortillasebriseno@abqjournal.comFri Nov 27 19:41:14 -0700 2020 1606531271 FILENAME: 1877220.jpg
Photo Elaine D. Briseno/Journal A tamale plate from El Modelo Mexican Foods.ebriseno@abqjournal.comFri Nov 27 19:41:08 -0700 2020 1606531260 FILENAME: 1877215.jpg
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
Photo Elaine D. Briseno/Journal Cervantes Restaurant will be selling tamales for the holidays.ebriseno@abqjournal.comFri Nov 27 19:41:04 -0700 2020 1606531260 FILENAME: 1877213.jpg
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
Photo Courtesy Kathy Alvarez Kathy's Carry Out in the South Valley
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
rer071818a/Biz/July 18, 2018/ Albuquerque Journal An advance look at the El Vado Motel, which will open on Friday July 20th. Albuquerque, New Mexico Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
Photo Courtesy B's This West Side food truck called B's is known for it's delicious tamales.ebriseno@abqjournal.comFri Nov 27 19:41:02 -0700 2020 1606531260 FILENAME: 1877212.jpg
That's a wrap: It's that time -- 10 places in the ABQ area to buy tamales
Photo Courtesy of Vegos This small food wagon specializes in vegan food. They will be making tamales for the holidays.ebriseno@abqjournal.comFri Nov 27 19:41:11 -0700 2020 1606531271 FILENAME: 1877217.jpg
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