Comments on: Takeout Tamales in Portland?

Question: Takeout Tamales in Portland?

pdb — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:13:17 -0800

Are there good takeout tamales in Portland somewhere? Where?

Mrs. PDB and I are having a Seis de Mayo party next Saturday, and our grand plan to bring back some of the best tamales I've had (from Lerua's in Tucson) fell through when my trip to Tucson this weekend was called off.

So, is there a place in Portland that does really good tamales for takeout sale by the bag? Cost isn't really an issue, nor is locale - I'm in NW, but I'll go wherever in the Portland metro area that there are good tamales to be had.

By: Mayor Curley

Mayor Curley — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:31:18 -0800

Maine isn't noted for its mexican food. New England isn't, for that matter. There was an authentic, good place (run by transplants from California) at the site of the former Vincenzo's on Cushing Street up in Brunswick, but Googling suggests that it didn't make it.

By: pdb

pdb — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:37:43 -0800

Sorry, shoulda been more clear - Portland, OR is where I'm looking for tamales...

By: jdroth

jdroth — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:47:06 -0800

Maybe try Cha! Cha! Cha! I cannot vouch for their tamales, but there's nothing I love more than picking up a bag of take-out tacos from them. They have a location in Sellwood and another someplace in Northwest...

By: J-Garr

J-Garr — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 11:57:03 -0800

Just to get some more clarification, what exactly makes a good tamale?

Have you tried Ole Ole, located at about 30th & E Burnside? They have great food and I've tried the tamales but I dunno if they're anything special or not.

By: nonmyopicdave

nonmyopicdave — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:37:21 -0800

You may be understandably dubious, but the Costco at E. Airport way has had some darn good pork tamales. The brand is "Rose's" or "Rosie's" IIRC. They are not frozen. Just bring them home and steam them with whatever veggie steamer arrangement you have.

By: pdb

pdb — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:43:19 -0800

A good tamale, to me, means that the flavor of the filling (whether meat or veggie) still comes through and is strong enough to offset the masa dough that holds it all together.

A lot of tamales I've had outside AZ are basically corn totilla burritos, and I don't want that; I also don't want something that you have to drown in hot sauce to make them have a taste. I'll try Ole Ole this weekend, and give Cha Cha Cha a shot too - thanks!

By: GarageWine

GarageWine — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:49:28 -0800

Check out King Burrito in Portland's own cartland.

By: danblaker

danblaker — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 13:19:06 -0800

I'd definitely recommend the tamales from La Bonita taqueria on NE 29th and Alberta (503-281-3662). They have chicken and vegan versions – both are really good, the vegan model featuring a slightly sweeter mixture of peppers. Another bonus is you can order tamales by the dozen if you give them a few hours' notice, perfect for an easy backyard party. Pretty much everything at La Bonita is top-notch. The ingredients are fresh, the meat is tender, portions are huge; and the staff is super friendly.

The Don Pancho taqueria on 20th & Alberta has unbelievably good tacos al pastor, but I haven't had their tamales yet. In fact, the tacos al pastor are so good I haven't tried anything else yet.

If you head to Alberta St. tonight, you'll enjoy/endure the Last Thursday Art Walk traffic at either taqueria. You'll wait a little longer for your tamales, but you'll be so distracted by the art and/or freaks that you won't care.

By: danblaker

danblaker — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 13:32:41 -0800

In my haste to recommend my fave taquerias, I missed the part about your Seis de Mayo party. So yeah, La Bonita is ideal for your situation. I've featured their tamales (and my "Mexican-style" grilled corn-on-the-cob) at many a backyard barbecue.

By: tristero

tristero — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:17:05 -0800

Hmm. I usually get the quesadilla but I'm wondering whether or not Pepino's at Hawthorne & 38th would have the perfect tamale you desire? Might be worh a shot. Can't beat the prices.

By: Joseph Gurl

Joseph Gurl — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:26:31 -0800

hehe blaker.

yeah blaker's right. La Bonita's tamales are pretty solid.

By: turbodog

turbodog — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 21:30:58 -0800

Lately I've been very excited about the tamales ($15 for a dozen) at a place who's name escapes me. It's in Tigard on 99W next to the Joy Theater, IIRC.

By: my homunculus is drowning

my homunculus is drowning — Wed, 03 May 2006 02:32:05 -0800

Both taquerias on Alberta are fine, but please don't go to Cha Cha Cha's, and please don't call the food there Mexican, or good for that matter (as if the sign didn't give it away--"The Mexican Taqueria." Makes you want to throw up at least a little bit, no?)