We looked forward to Chito Tamales on weekends at the Magnolia farmers' market all summer til October. In a panic on the last day of the FM season, we bought 24 frozen. In the morning, I put one in the double-boiler steamer for 20 minutes, stuff it into a food thermos (where it continues to cook and stay warm), and my kid unwraps and gobbles it up for lunch. There's NEVER any leftovers! Very, very, very delicious even frozen and reheated. Mmmm. If y'all do a tamale-making seminar, I'll bring my family! PS: steam these guys hot, don't nuke em. Steaming keeps them moist, and it's the right way to do it. read more

I pretty much only go to the Broadway Farmer's Market to stuff my face. Biscuits from Honest Biscuit. Baked goods from Columbia City Bakery. Ginger Beer from Rachel's. And of course -- El Chito's tamales. Pork, chicken, or straight veggie tamales -- these things are amazing. Hot & steamy, perfect consistency, and they come out still wrapped in their corn husk cocoon. Plenty of salsa options are available -- I douse mine with both the habanero and tomatillo sauces, and a healthy dose of crema as well. The best part about these suckers in my opinion? There are chick peas in them. Im not sure if this is traditional or not, but I don't care. I love chickpeas and they are AWESOME in these tamales. Prices are good. I know you get deals on half and full dozen orders, but Im usually here for a Sunday lunch of sorts so I buy a single tamale with a jamaica juice for a measly $4.25. The owner is super nice too! Feel free to chat him up -- that is if your face isn't too full of his incredible tamales. read more

I've now visited their stand at the SLU pop up market, three times now. I will not be returning. The chicken tamale was mostly filler (potato, corn, chickpeas) and the maseca (the outer dough), each visit. The carnitas tamale has good flavor, but again has a lot of outer 'dough'. The tamales are always dry. I am from AZ, so perhaps I'm being more critical, but I've had better Seattle-based options. read more

Fresh chicken or cheese tamales available hot or frozen by the dozen, Jamaica, and a friendly owner makes El Chito the reason to go to the farmer's market. The best part about the tamales is that not only are they filled with protein, but they're also filled with veggies and you can get some delicious, complimentary salsa roja on the side - even if you order a dozen frozen. I don't know how I'll survive the winter without El Chito! read more

Marlo is the Tamale King! I'm from Texas, so I have eaten more than my fair share of tamales, but El Chito is a cut above. The flavor combinations are excellent, but everyone knows good tamales start with good masa, and these tamales are always so delicious, even after they've been in the freezer. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself. Worth every penny! read more

Omg!!! El Chito! Took the family who was in from out of town to Pike Market place and I didn't want to sit down to eat. Found this food stand gem while shopping in the back on the balcony area on a sunny day. I was hesitant because I am use to eating home made Mexican and Guatemalan tamales. After talking to the person, wish I could remember her name she was awesome, I was sold. All homemade, flavors on point, not too dry but with the homemade verde salsa if you happen to get a dry tamale it saves the dish. Defiantly will be trying to find the restaurant to have an actual sit down meal. read more

Seriously the best tamale I've ever eaten. They combine the perfect amount of savory meat and veggies with a moist corn mesa. Grab some of the salsas (the tomatillo is my favorite) and dwell on each bite. The owner is friendly and great to strike up a conversation with. Ask him about his trick to distinguish between chicken, pork, or veggie tamales. Maybe ask him how he makes the sweet pitcher of Jamaica on the table When all is said and done its hard to wait a week for your next tamale. As I found out from a friend he keeps a cooler of frozen tamales to go. Grab a dozen and feast for the week read more

Best tamales in Seattle!! Not an opinion, I'm talking seriously. I've tried different places and restaurants and El Chito's tamales are the best!!! Amazing flavor!! I also love the vegetarian options Definitely 5 stars tamales! read more

Best tamale I've ever had. Not dry. Got the pork tamale. It was so flavorful I didn't even need salsa. Very filling and only 5.00.

I've had the pleasure of having El Chito tamales multiple times and they are incredible! I'm not vegetarian/vegan but their vegan tamales are my favorite. Marlo takes tamales to whole other level - so good! Definitely worth checking out - you won't be disappointed. read more

These are the best tamales I have ever had. I miss them during the non farmers market months! The product is super fresh and delicious every time. Not only are the tamales the best around his fresh made sauces and salsas are the perfect compliment. The owner is so personable and knowledgeable about his product. Can't wait to get some more tamales for myself and the whole family! read more

They aren't wrong when they say these are the best tamales in Seattle. I love to stock up on their frozen packs for my family. Definitely would recommend. read more

There are the beat tamales Ive ever has in seattle , with good flavor and very tasty 100% recommended

Amazing tamales! So delicious. Perfect amount of meat and masa. Likable for adults AND kids. Great communication with Marlo/owner. Affordable and delivered to our party location. Wonderful experience all the way around. read more

The best food I try Mexican food original and fresh so delish and the meat is really fully cooked my favorite is the tacos with carnitas thank you for the service read more

Best veggie taco I have had. It's a mix of cactus and mushroom and I highly recommend. I also had the al pastor tacos and would recommend. Very meaty and the pork is tender and not fatty. This truck is currently serving its food in sealed, plastic containers so we were able to order and eat elsewhere without worry. The owner was there and very helpful. Again, highly recommend. read more

Had the chicken tamale with beans and rice delivered by peach today. I am a southern calif and baja mexican food die hard and have been searching for that style up here with NO success. But this was good. it's missing the usual suspects, sour crema, cheese, etc and I suspect that is why Seattle folks like it so much - it's healthy. If I could get a so cal style mexican meal up here I would, but I can't, so I will head to El Chito. read more

Hands down, the best tamales I have had in Seattle. I tried their special tamale (vegetarian). The beans and rice were tasty too. I visited them at the Farmers market at SLU. read more

I've loved these things since El Chito was young. Love the creative ingredients for the special tamales. Once I learned the trick to reheating them-- you must steam!- it was easy to buy a bunch of frozen to keep on hand. read more

This is some of the best food you can get when eating out in Seattle. I didn't really know what good tamales tasted like until I tried El Chito. These tamales are steamed to the perfect texture--neither dry and underdone nor overcooked and rubbery (cf. the other tamale stand at the Broadway farmers market). And they're a beautiful color with the achiote and other spices that Chef Marlo mixes into the masa. The selections are perfectly tailored to the Seattle crowd -- gluten-free, lard-free, genuinely vegetarian and vegan options. The special is usually the best item because it uses seasonal vegetables (but go for the regular veggie if you like your tamales cheesy). The agua de jamaica is perfectly sweetened and has just the right spices. And the refried black beans are flavorful and satisfying. I've been buying tamales from here for a couple of years, and recently bought a big catering order (~300 tamales plus sides) for my wedding. We were happy to learn that when the quantity goes up, the quality stays high! read more

Their food truck is terrific! It is located in front of the Norton building, just South of the intersection of 2nd and Marion, starting at 11am on Wednesday's. Delicious and filling food with friendly service. I recommend everything on their menu as I've never been disappointed. read more

New addition to the Virginia Mason Farmers market on Fridays and a good one at that. I just devoured the chicken and pork tamale..hell there's still salsa grease on my fingers. It's really hard to get tamales right..they easily can become too soggy, too dry, or the meat used is not flavorful. I really enjoy the veggies he puts in them-carrots, jalapenos, potatoe, and garbanzo bns and Im pretty sure he marinates the meat. I've had my fair share of tamales (I'm Mexican) and this is one of the tastiest I've had. read more

Best tamales I've found in Seattle or anywhere else for that matter (including my own kitchen!). I usually buy a dozen or so at a time as they reheat so well. Perfect food for fueling back up after a winter bike ride! Marlo is also a super friendly guy, when the local market is closed he has kindly delivered large orders directly. read more

I always stop by El Chitos Homemade Tamales when I go to the Broadway Farmers Market. All three kinds are great, but I love pork the best. The salsas available to eat with them are spicy and tasty as well. Plus if you have already filled up with other farmers market food, he usually has frozen tamales to take home and eat them for dinner later. Get a glass of Jamaica Juice and the friendly booth runner, Marlo will likely engage you in a little conversation. I definitely recommend! read more

Stopped by the Teku Tavern last night and saw the tamale stand. Being from Texas I was incredibly dubious about tamales in Seattle. Turns out, these are better than any tamale I've ever had in Texas. They're so good, in fact, that I'll be sending some home through their frozen tamale delivery service. Find El Chito. Go to El Chito. It's amazing. read more

Wow! I stopped by the South Lake Union market last Thursday. I am Vegan and was looking for something good to eat. Roberto was right there and with his warm smile and friendly personality, sharing the great the news of the Vegan tamales that they sell. As if that was not exciting enough, the rice and beans were the best I ever ate! I will be back each and every Thursday! Hurray, their Vegan tamales sell out quick each week! read more

Having lived in Tucson, I know a good tamal when I see one. These are insane. Easily the best tamales in town. Can't say enough about them! read more

These tamales are downright magical. Like, close-your-eyes-and-savor-each-bite magical. Like, dream-of-them-years-later magical. Like, nothing-will-ever-compare magical. Thank you for gracing Seattle with your gifts of tamale making, El Chito. read more

Delicious and good value around $3-4 per tamale. I had the special tamale of the week which was cojita, kale, quinoa, sweet potato and zucchini. The salsa sauces provide just the right amount of spicy tingle and the cooling crema wraps everything with a smooth creamy finish. A filling savory pocket of yumminess that's perfect for a Sunday morning The owner is a happy guy too and service is quick. read more

Best tamales in the northwest! Bought a few dozen for my graduation. Great way to go. Love the hot sauces, crema and traditional tamales. We went to the farmers market all the time in tacoma during college and now go to the farmers market in Seattle. read more

Had their special and a sweet tamale. The sweet would be great if we knew what to expect. But it wasn't for us (could see others liking it) . The special /seasonal was phenomenal. We'll be coming back again. read more

Simply delicious best authentic tamales in Seattle, with exceptional service and cleanliness, highly recommended.

These are Marlo's own recipes, you will not get these Tamales anywhere in Town!! He will not share the recipes either :-) I was hooked to the pork tamales, till he introduced his special tamales (which vary based on what is available during the season) ..Then I started eating the breakfast tamales with the mexican sausage. I even love the veggie Tamales which surprised me as well ;-) But the best part is Marlo at the stand with his big smile..It is great to actually talk to the owner who started it all by himself and still works in the kitchen. read more

beat tamales in town. I was dubious they would be as good as they were but now I go find wherever el chito is almost weekly.

I went to eat some tamales and I think these were the best tamales that I tried in Seattle and also I Love the tamale of the week, they are perfect combination of meat and spices, all of them are great, "chicken mole, Al pastor, Asada or Pork Carnitas" read more

Found this amazing stand at Tacoma's farmers market on Proctor. Was drawn in by the "breakfast tamale". It didn't disappoint! The masa was moist and flavorful from just the right amount of chorizo. There was a perfect balance of egg, cheese and mushroom to complete the filling. I can't neglect to mention the handmade salsas and crema offered self serve style. Each was outstanding in their own right. We were so impressed by the breakfast tamale we took home pork and the daily special which was a Mexican Italian fusion tamale. They were also delicious! If you are like me and appreciate an authentic tamale, make sure you find EL Chito, won't be disappointed. read more

Hands down one the best vegan tamales I've had. Typically they'll add a bunch of salt to make up for taste, NOT THIS PLACE. They have the perfect amount of everything. Basically, extremely satisfied with the quality of ingredients and flavors read more

Very good. Took them to work for a potluck. There were no leftovers.

Terrible experience. The tamales were cold and did not taste very good. I think my order must have been forgotten or switched with another customers order because they did not taste warm. I also not not like the interior and it wass over done. I won't be back as they can't seem to get an order right. Not sure how they have gotten so many good reviews, as this place was less than average. read more

Reasonably priced and seriously authentic, the tamales at this stand are the best buy at the Broadway Farmers Market!