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All Star Tamales

4.1 (102 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican, Food Trucks
Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM

All Star Tamales Photos

ALL STAR TAMALES ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - All Star Tamales

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2 vegan options
Lanie L.

All Star Tamales is on the list of "How you know you're a true San Franciscan" because people will literally wait in the longest line of all the farmers market to get their hands on the smallest dish available. Despite all the other amazingly delicious food trucks around (I love you Hella Vegan Eats!), I will wait patiently for 30 minutes to get my hands on a tamale the size of my hand. But like an atom bomb, you can't judge something by it's size. They have 2 vegan tamales here-Vegan Mushroom & Vegan Veggie. There will be weeks where I prefer 1 over the other. Right now, it's the vegan mushroom. It's a combination of a few different types of exotic mushrooms, a hint of umami flavor, and great texture. The vegan veggie has all sorts of plant goodness inside that crumbles with every bite, so you can taste and feel every vegetable they put into it. They also have a vegan burrito, which is essentially the fillings of the vegan veggie rolled up into a mini flour tortilla. All these offerings are $3 a pop, but if you buy in bulk, you'll save a few bucks off each one. The salsa here is a whole 'nother story. They automatically provide red and green sauce, but ask for the orange sauce. It's smokey and easily my favorite. Ask for the big container too. Do it. You know you want to drench that tamale. They have a fourth salsa, so if you're feeling creative, ask for all 4 and see which one you like best. I'll come around every week for their tamales. As long as there's a line, you'll know I'll be in it.

Vira P.

I LUUUV Tamales! And I love the fact that these tamales are made without lard! I haven't tried them all, because I always go back to the chicken red mole tamale wrapped in a banana leaf. I think it's absolutely delicious! I also really like the sweet corn tamale. Some people think $2.50 is expensive for a tamale, but I think they're worth it. I blogged it: http://sexydishes.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-just-lunch.html

Chris R.

Hands down the best tamales I have had in the bay area! You can slap sauce an a tamale but All Star Tamales don't need salsa to be outstanding on their own. Be aware if you visit their stand in Old Oakland Farmer's Market, SF's UN Plaza, or other remote locations they take cash only.

All Star Tamales
Adam S.

Hmm... Now I'm conflicted. For the last year, Wednesday's at the Heart of The City Farmers Market have usually meant one particular go-to lunch, the Pupusa. I should have tried All Star Tamales sooner, because I would have realized two things: 1. The long-@ss line moves a lot faster than it seems, and is actually a LOT quicker than waiting for pupusas. 2. These are some legit tamales. There is a huge selection of different tameles - also Burritos and Enchiladas, as well. So far, I've enjoyed each one that I've had, and as I look over the menu (look below, I listed them all!) I'm pretty excited for Wednesday's to come. Everything has been good, but the winner was the Green Chile and Cheese tamale. That was the first tamale I've tried that does not have meat. The chile and cheese with the tamale is a great combo, and it's bursting with filling. I'd also have to give a BIG thumbs up to the side-sauces that come with your order. Good range of mild to caliente. Get two tamales for $6, and that is stout meal. The one downside - it's sorta messy for street food. The tamales are pre-wrapped (why the line moves fast) tightly in plastic wrap, and they're a little greasy (in a good way) on the outside of the corn-husk. Make sure to grab lots of napkins when you visit - It gets a bit messy unwrapping the delicious tamales. Much easier if you can go find a table or bring these back to the office. Are Pupusas a thing of the past for old Adam S.? Nah. But, this is a new regular in the rotation. Here's the list 'o Tamales: Red Pork: Shredded pork in a mild red sauce. Green Pork: Shredded pork in a tomatillo sauce with bits of red potatoes, carrots, and pasilla chilies. Pork Mole: Shredded pork in a Oaxacan style red mole and steamed in a banana leaf. Red Chicken: Shredded chicken in a mild red sauce. Green Chicken: Shredded chicken in a tomatillo sauce with bits of red potatoes, carrots, and pasilla chilies. Chicken Mole: Shredded chicken in a Oaxacan style red mole and steamed in a banana leaf. Beef: Shredded beef in a mild red sauce. TexMex: Ground beef and black beans in a chipotle souce. Picadillo: Ground beef, with bits of red potatoes, carrots, cooked in a green sauce. Vegi-Vegan: Black beans, green beans, carrots, cauliflower,corn, roasted red peppers, and spinach. Black Bean Cheese: Home style cooked, black beans, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Spinach and Cheese: Fresh spinach, mozzarella cheese, and cotija cheese. Green Pasilla: Pasilla chilies, cotija cheese, mozzarella cheese, steamed in a banana leaf. Chile and Cheese: Anaheim chilies, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Vegan Mushroom: Portobello, shiitake, and brown mushrooms with red and green peppers and cabbage in a mild garlic sauce. Sweet Corn: Fresh yellow sweet corn, butter, and a dash of sugar.

Tamales menu
Joanna L.

They're called "All Star" for a reason! And let's add in affordable as well- 2 tamales for $5! Cheaper if you buy them cold and by the bulk. About 20 varieties- savory, sweet, meaty, vegan. You name it, they got it. Gluten and lard free. They also serve burritos, tacos, and drinks. Salsa already packaged in to-go containers. And very friendly servers! They're at the Heart of The City's Farmer's market. There's always a long line (that moves quickly). Also at Alemany Farmer's market.

Yummmmm

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Ask the Community - All Star Tamales

Tried to find you at the Old Oakland Farmer's Market today. Are you doing any Farmer's Markets in the East Bay right now?

we are not doing Oakland market anymore but we are starting a market in Pinole on Saturdays

Do they have a storefront we can visit?

Hi Erica! Yes we do have a storefront to pick up cold togo orders opened (with limited hours). Please call ahead or email so we can make sure your order is ready for you. We are also going to be starting Doordash within the next week or so. Once… 

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La Piñata

La Piñata

2.8
(434 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

The food here is pretty good most days. You get a lot for what you pay for which is good because it…read moreis on the pricey side. When I order out my food tastes good 10/10 times and the only time my food wasn't the best was when I ate in the restaurant.

This guy lace is really really good!! The only thing that doesn't give it a 5 star is that it…read moreseemed like there were trying to rush us out our app came out the same time as the food, and once we were done and wanted to look at desert it seemed like not even 5 minutes later she's coming back rushing us on a choice for desert. It wasn't in a rude way though as a pregnant lady lol i just wana sit and enjoy my food, and i forsure need time to sit and process my meal. Still good service and great food! Just please slow down a bit and don't make people feel rushed to leave. And also the tops to our to go lids did not fit our server knew that and we HAD TO ASK for different lids and she said "oh we normally use foil sheets" so then why not bring the foil sheets out to us to use? And when we did order our desert we asked for the CARAMEL churros and she brings us it with Chocolate....when I asked for the caramel and not the chocolate she said "oh we don't have caramel, but it still says that on the menu" not even really an apology either to that. I did start out to give this a 4 start but due to the experience of feeling rushed, I'm giving it a 3 star. Food again was cooked so so well! Yea after careful consideration and not being the only one who noticed lol this place is kinda racist. It was VERY obvious how my mother in law and i were treated compared to the other customers. WE WILL NOT BE COKING BACK.

Photos
La Piñata
La Piñata
La Piñata

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Las Panchitas

Las Panchitas

3.8
(490 reviews)
1.1 mi
$$

Last week we went there, my girlfriend was hankering for and wanted ground beef, crispy tacos, I…read morehad the taco salad. I must admit I was jealous of her tacos as they were still unbroken after removing them from the wrap they're served in because it seems every time I've ordered their crispy tacos the shell always breaks open and splits at the bottom. Very disappointing. The taco salad was very tasty with all of my favorites included. We enjoy eating here and my only real complaint is their carne asada soft taco that comes filled with whole pinto beans besides the meat. I don't understand this and to me it really doesn't add to the taco. I didn't know they served them like this or I would have requested no to the beans and I love whole and refried beans, but not in my tacos! Their restaurant is colorful with wonderfully painted or printed images of Mexican life. The staff always seem quite friendly and they are usually very busy. Plus they serve carveza! Their salsa bar doesn't do it for me though, whats supposed to be their mild, Pico de Gallo is too liquidity and as much as I use to enjoy spicy food my 68 y/o body just cannot tolerate it anymore, especially on the way out one day I hope to order their anaconda burrito to share with some friends

Popped in on a Fri night about 645p. Not super busy for eat in but to go looked hopping! We ate in…read more Decor was very cool. Cashier was friendly and very helpful. Great sense of humor. The food? Bam! Nailed it. Carne Asada Super Burrito was a gut bomb but soo good. The green salsa had a great kick to iy and the red sauce was super flavorful. The wife had a mini lucky burrito with carne asada and had the leftovers on Saturday. Nice quantity of guacamole & sour cream. Chips and guacamole were super tasty. Bean dip was delicious. Yup, its worth the drive over the hill from Concord!

Photos
Cool decor.
Cool decor.
Crispy potato tacos.
Crispy potato tacos.
The Qusabirria was delicious!

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The Qusabirria was delicious!
El Guerrerito

El Guerrerito

4.1
(84 reviews)
3.8 mi

I love this place, but this visit absolutely sealed the deal all over again…read more We ordered the carne asada super burrito and it was perfection. It was packed with flavorful, juicy meat and had the ideal ratio of beans, rice, and cheese -- every bite was balanced and satisfying. No skimpy filling here. Just a beautifully built burrito done right. The chips and guacamole were just as impressive. The chips came out hot, thin, and perfectly fresh -- that light crisp that shatters just right. The guacamole tasted bright and fresh, clearly made with care and real ingredients. We also tried the pastor torta, and wow. It was loaded with tender, well-seasoned meat, and the bread was soft, fresh, and toasted perfectly. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside -- exactly how a torta should be. Every component worked together so well. And the piña agua fresca? Super fresh and refreshing -- the perfect complement to everything we ordered. We come here often, but this time we switched it up and tried the burrito -- and it did not disappoint. This is easily one of the best taquerias in town. Consistently delicious, generous portions, and clearly made with pride. We'll definitely be back (soon!) to try the quesabirria. So grateful to have a spot like this in town.

I've always enjoyed my food. The hospitality is very nice. The service is quick. The facilities are…read morenice and clean in my opinion.

Photos
Menu 10/18/22
Menu 10/18/22
Tacos de alpastor de trompo
Tacos de alpastor de trompo
Menu

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Menu

All Star Tamales - mexican - Updated July 2026

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