I love tamales. I'm pretty sure it's because freshly made ones are not that easy to find (I'm just not trying hard enough) and Costco ones are just not the same. I went the this Northgate market specifically for the Tamales and it did not disappoint, we got 2 pork, 2 chicken and 2 beef ones just to try, then I went back and got a dozen to take home, I liked the pork and chicken ones better than the beef (not that the beef wasn't good) the masa in the chicken one tasted really good, and the pork one was more moist, I'm assuming it's because of the higher fat that get melted into it vs the beef one which was more dry. We weren't adventurous enough to try their sweet strawberry and pineapple ones maybe next time. This market has way too much options for me to just eat tamales! read more

Well, came in today, Friday morning less busy than the weekends. Just my son and I and he wanted to try some tamales. The place looks very clean. Service was great plenty of seating. They are for a lot of flavors and the tamales come by itself for there or to go. They also come in as a combo with rice and beans, but today we decided on just tamales by themselves. What's today's weather I wasn't really feeling it but surprisingly they were actually good. I wouldn't hesitate to come back in the winter time. I'm glad we tried and can't wait to come back for more. read more

See all

La Tamaleria is located inside Costa Mesa Northgate Market. My boyfriend and I have tried a lot of the vendors and on our latest visit we decided to try tamales here. You can get tamale plates with rice and beans or you can get tamales only. My boyfriend and I were getting other snacks from other vendors so we decided just to get a tamale each. They have many flavors to pick from, both savory options and sweet options. When we were inquiring about one of the seasonal options on the menu, they said they ran out. Ultimately my boyfriend went with a Beef Tamale ($3) and I went with a Pork Tamale ($3). The flavors were pretty average. Not great but not to awful. The one thing that stood out was how oily the tamales were. With so many other vendors in this foodhall market, my future visits would probably be to visit other vendors than to come back here. read more

La Tamalería - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

I ordered a Jalapeno and Cheese tamale. The masa was soft and tasted fresh, and the cheese was yummy. It wasn't the best Jalapeno and Cheese tamale I've ever had, but it was very good. If I ever go back, I will order some to take home. read more

See all

They have the best Champurrados!! Tamales are definitely not bad. Very busy always which means something good!

Delicious tamale place. I like how they make their tamales fresh here and there's so many flavors to choose from. We ordered the tamales Caseros and got it to go. Friendly staff and store area is kept very clean. read more

See all

Located inside the grand daddy of Mexican Mercados de Gonzalez aka Northgate. So many eateries inside but if you need tamales, this is where to get them. The selection is broader than at the neighboring Northgate markets. Turkey and pumpkin were available this season. I tried pumpkin as I have been searching for pumpkin for so.many.years after I had a taste of one that I could not find. Though the pumpkin tamale here was still not it, it was still delicious. So were the usual flavors- chile & cheese, chicken and beef. Each tamale is $3.50 and they also have banana leaf wrapped flavors (chicken mole & ?) for $5.99. You can get the plate for $12.99 that includes 2 tamales topped with cream & cotija plus rice & beans. Very fresh, moist masa and plenty of filling! read more

I'm not a tamale expert, but I've had zero issues with this tamale shop that's within the Northgate Mercado. I love the chicken tamale's and my fiance loves the cheese one. The service is quick. I haven't tried their frozen tamale packs but I would like to one day when I gave the necessary pots for steaming tamales. read more

Loved the tamales here! The masa had good flavor and was the perfect texture, not too dry nor too wet. There was a good amount of filling as well. I do wish they provided some salsa, but overall, and I really enjoyed the tamales here! read more

La Tamalería - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

I guess I've been lucky with the service at this tamale shop inside Northgate Mercado. Seeing the negative reviews on here about the workers' attitude makes me wonder if I'm at a different place because it has always been pleasant regardless of their age. I really like the tamales from here. I especially love the banana leaf ones! There are only two flavors for the banana leaf tamales- mole chicken or pork ribs ($4.99 each). I like them both! The masa is flavorful and not dry. However, I always steam them when I reheat at home, so if you take the lazy way and microwave, don't blame them for dry tamales. The banana leaf tamales are also a good size with a good amount of filling. The corn husk tamales ($2.99 each) are also really good. I personally don't like sweet tamales, so I can't speak to those. But I really like the beef and pork tamales - full of flavor and packed with meat! The one big issue I have with this place is that they often sell out or don't make enough of the banana leaf tamales. It's disappointing because I never know if I'm wasting a trip to visit this place because their banana leaf tamales stock is so inconsistent. read more

See all

We enjoyed they chili and cheese, pork, beef and dessert tamales. All were tasty and their 1/2 dozen special makes it affordable. The dessert tamales were unique (pineapple and strawberry) and sweet. read more

If only the food tasted as good as the pictures... the service was ok. The ladies don't greet you but they stand there waiting for you to order. The service is quick. Everything is already made, just packaging is what takes time. Tamales are ok. Just ok. Very greasy and mushy. Very moist. The flavor. Just ok. Not salty but not flavorful. Wish there was more to say. The seating area is very close to the pick up area so we were able to hear our order number clearly. read more

See all

It's one of the vendor restaurants in the Northgate food court, usually a relatively short line. The 2 tamales combo comes with rice and beans, extremely filling and I love it read more

I'd skip this place all together if you see younger people working here because I got my tamales with an attitude and it ruined it for me. Not sure if it was a crazy Monday, but I encountered the same attitude all night from the various vendors here at Mercado, but this experience was especially off-putting. I revisited Mercado to sample more food and was eager to try La Tamaleria, especially since there was no one in the queue. Upon reaching the front, I encountered a young girl with pulled back straight, black, hair that was leaning sideways on the counter looking disinterested and unresponsive. I greeted here and asked if I could get a Tamal de Res and a strawberry tamale she remained indifferent and didn't respond and just pushed buttons. Another employee fetching the tamales had to confirm my order and then proceeded to get them for me. Despite the lack of enthusiasm and hospitality from the staff, I paid for my food and left feeling let down and disappointed by the experience. Save your money and time and get your tamales from a lady in the parking lot that made it with love and like her life depends on it. read more

La Tamalería - To the girl who rang this order up, may your eyes be stuck sideways and your neck stiff at a 90 degree angle. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Excellent tamales with many varieties and freshly made! We got a set of 6 tamales and ordered 2 each of beef, pork & chicken. The tamales are a good size, tender, hot, and filled with delicious and tasty meat. They also offer other tamales such as corn, jalapeño & cheese, and pineapple. I recommend trying different types of tamales. Very shareable. Many table in the large dining area to eat as soon as you get your food. Located at the Mercado at Northgate. read more

I was finally able to swing by the north gate mercado and get to try a few of the food stalls within - one of them being La Tamaleria. This place is pretty good and they have a few tamale flavors that I've never had. The flavors that they offer are pork, chicken, beef, sweet corn, jalapeno and cheese, pineapple and strawberry. I thought that the standout tamales were the chicken and sweet corn and if you had only one to choose, definitely give the sweet corn a try for dessert. The others were still good but I'd suggest to stay away from the pineapple one. Pricing for all of the food stalls seemed to be very well priced, especially now with how expensive other restaurants are getting away with charging. The staff was nice and gave a very good recommendation for the sweet corn. read more

See all

Decent Tamales are served at this place in the North Gate Mercado. They have a bunch of variety including strawberry tamales which I have never heard of until today. I was still in the mood for more savory kind of tamales so I got the Beef and Chiles tamales with rice and beans. The tamales were both tasty and had good flavor but at the end it was still average from what I have tried. But that's not a bad thing as I would still eat here again. I'm definitely interested in trying the other tamales they have available. The only thing is service was a skittle awkward. I see other comments about that and I now get the attitude or the lack of service but at the end of the day I don't expect the best service at counter top service anyways. read more

La Tamalería - Tamales with rice and beans. - Mexican Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Perfect place for holiday tamales! I knew it was good when I saw a long line waiting for these delicious tamales. It's located inside of Northgate towards the front, you can't miss it! There's some seating tables nearby too so you can enjoy. The tamales were delicious! read more

Don't believe the hate. The food here was super good. We had the tamale combo with one chickens and one pork and also tried the strawberry tamale. They were all amazing. They were cooked perfectly had and went perfectly with the rice and beans. The strawberry tamale was surprising and great! Would totally recommend that and can't wait to try the other flavors. It was weird to taste strawberry in the masa but you really have to try it to understand. read more

See all

We decided to try out La Tamaleria when we visited the amazing Mercado in Costa Mesa. (Fun place with lots of little areas serving different foods.) La Tamaleria serves, you guessed it, Tamales. Very unimpressed. The chicken tamales had so little chicken in them, they should have just been called "masa tamales". And the masa flavor was pretty boring as well. Maybe the tamale maker was having a bad day. But he didn't make us happy for our first time. I was really hoping for something special and was very disappointed. The local lady on my Tustin street corner selling her tamales is so much better than this place. And the counter guy was pretty bored and moved slower than molasses. Maybe other service staff are decently efficient, but not this guy. read more

See all

I haven't even read previous posts but I saw the 3.1 stars and thought it was a little high. There only saving grace is the strawberry tamale. There is strawberry in the masa as well as the filling and it's super tender and flaky. I just tried a chicken and I've had beef in the past. They are so lacking in flavor and filling. The chicken tamale I just had only had filling in half the tamale and the chicken had no flavor. The salsa was the only flavor I could taste. So disappointing because so many of the other stands at the market are fantastic. I just with this place would read their reviews and improve their quality. read more

The service wasn't the best I was waiting next to were you pay because I wanted an atole de nuez. The server skipped me and attended another person. The lady apologized for me getting skipped but that's not her fault. The atole was good but it was loaded with nuez. Everytime I drank, everytime I had to chew a mouth full of nuezes. read more

NEVER AGAIN! Bought some tamales yesterday and when I got home to warm them up and eat them the corn husks wrapper had MOLD!!!!!! If I can give this place ZERO stars I would!! Unbelievable. So gross! read more

See all

Best tamales I've ever had! I got the elote (sweet) and pollo (savoury) flavours. They were super fresh and hot, and what especially stood out to me was how HUGE they were. They're priced similarly or cheaper than competitors in Orange County, but they're about 1.5 times the size of others and have more filling, so they're a great value! Also, the line moved pretty quickly even on a Sunday. I will be back soon. read more

Great tamales! Fun environment! It does definitely get crowded. But both times I went I was eventually was able to find a chair or a table. I had the pork and beef tamales. My friend got the strawberry and I've never had a sweet tamal before but I enjoyed it. The two I had were completely filling. I paid about $13 for a delicious dinner. Plus $3 for a tamarindo jarritos. Will def be coming back here again. read more

Super rude and disorganized. There were about 8 of us in line. Not together we were separate parties. When we got to the register we were gestured at and informed that we had to "order back there" back there was the line that wrapped around the place. There is no signage indicating where to order and at no point did any of the employees attempt to take the order of any of us standing in line. Disorganized I can make excuses for since it's a new place but rudeness and bad customer service nope. Never going back. Sticking with Mi Guesta tamales from now on. read more

I ordered the chicken tamales a few months ago and really enjoyed them. However, I bought the pork this time and was very disappointed. The tamales, at least the pork ones were very disappointing. There was barely any meat at all in them. I couldn't even find the meat in the sauce. Very disappointed because we couldn't taste it, so the tamales were very disappointing. The bummer is that I bought 3 packs of them. I wanted family to them. :-) My suggestion is not to buy the pork tamales. read more

Average tamales and exceedingly bad service. PASS. Too many places to choose from...no point in dealing with the workers' bad attitude.

Amazing! Phenomenal service from Miguel! Even though I came in almost an HOUR after they closed I wasn't aware, he was smiling, super friendly, and eager to help me. He helped me get what I needed and was incredibly nice. Can't wait to enjoy my tamales, thank you guys! read more

Wife and I finally made it to Mercado. Walked around and picked out where we were going to eat and picked tamales. Got in line and we were the second person being helped, the person in front of us was paid and just leaving but still having a conversation with the employees, laughing and joking about something...totally fine but don't look at us and ask if he can take our order then when i start to give it, you go back to the conversation with your employees and that customer....3 TIMES that happened ! Then after repeating our order 3 times as he is getting them ready cause he was not paying attention we got our food. The food is terrible...absolutely terrible ! The meat is ok when you can find it, there is wwwaaayyyy to much masa, like way to much...the rice and beans are just rice and beans, nothing special. I am giving it 2 stars instead of one because the cook who was making the food and getting our plates ready was really on top of it and nice. The person who was helping us could learn a thing or 2 from his employees. The rude person helping us was the manager, he also rude to his employees because the tamale case by register was little messy and out a tamales, he scolded them in front of us. Needless to say we will not be back to the La Tamaleria. read more