Stopped by on a Tuesday around 2PM and found this little gem parked on the side of a gas station. There was a man with a cart offering a variety of tamales - a simple setup, but don't let that fool you. I ordered the beef and the chicken & cheese, and my total came out to just $8. They accept Venmo and Zelle, but I'm not sure about cash or credit cards so come prepared just in case. The tamales were seriously good. I was especially impressed that they weren't dry at all, super flavorful and satisfying. Compared to the tamales I've had in North Louisiana/Texas, these had more masa (breading) and a bit less meat, but honestly, they still delivered on taste. Overall, it was a quick, casual stop that totally hit the spot. Definitely looking forward to going back and trying more! read more

Tamales El Mexico - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tamales were great. Not only was the protein inside the tamale good but the maza itself was delicious. Give it a try.

The best tamales in San Diego are served up piping hot from a stand in front of an Autozone. Why wouldn't they be? Everything here is incredible. I am most familiar with corn husk tamales, but here you can get banana leaf tamales (hoja de platano). They are delicious, and IMO, the masa in them has a silkier texture. My favorite (so far) is the salsa verde pork steamed in banana leaf. I have to admit that I am kinda embarrassed to return because the last time I went and ordered, I tried to order in Spanish--it seemed easy enough. It ended up being so shitty and bungled (I had performance anxiety, okay) that the exasperated lady defaulted to English after I couldn't answer a basic question and handed her the incorrect amount of cash. T_T Please forgive me, tamale queen! I love you more than you will ever know! read more

Fireee, best tamales I ever had. Banana leaf with the chicken, on pointttttttttttttttttt

Best tamales! Got them last minute for the holidays. Will get again next year. Got every kind they had

Their banana wrapped tamales are the best. So flavorful and moist. Good meat to masa ratio as well. Good value and good price. Small little stand but definetly worth it. read more

Came back from Tijuana and for some reason they had zero tamales for sale in the border line!!! I needed my tamales fix and started yelping around to find the best tamales. I can definitely say I found them at Tamales El Mexico. I won't be buying tamales from the border line anymore!!! read more

Delicious tamales! This is a walk up food cart. They have both banana leaf tamales & corn husk tamales. Our family tried both & liked everything. They were very reasonably priced. Highly recommend! read more

If you see a tamale cart in a random spot w a man that speaks more Spanish to you than English and only takes cash, you know it's gonna be good! The beef tamales are so good. The masa to meat ratio is it's not dry either read more

I was hesitant at first, but each and every one was amazing. Green pork, red beef, and pineapple were all 10/10. Moist, big, excellent flavor. Must try! read more

OM NOM NOM!! My new favorite place to get tamales!!! Or should i say cart! It's a cart in front of a liquor store. I came here and got 2 beef,2 chicken, 2 pork(green), 2 jalapeño & cheese! They were $2 each but some how my total ended up to be $18 hmmm did she pocket $2 extra from me? Well if she did, it's totally fine because her tamales were BOOOOOOMB diggitty bomb! The masa was even flavored which made the tamales taste so much better! read more

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Some places I yelp I've only been to a handful of times. I've eaten about a million tamales from this particular stand. Because location is everything. The fact of the matter is that her tamales are pretty good, but not outstanding. Heavy on the masa, light on the salsa. Now that a more convenient and arguably superior competitor has opened across the street, my loyalty has been severely challenged. But I still like coming here, and the main reason is because one of the saleswomen is *always* snoozing on her chair by the cart. I don't know if she's just tired from tamale-making all day. But I wake her up as gently as possible, and she sheepishly smiles and looks blankly at me before mumbling something incoherent, presumably in Spanish. Even when she's awake, she's a little bit asleep. I get my meat tamales (don't order the pineapple here, they are pretty weak) and she retreats to her chair. So help a poor, sleepy Mexican woman out, alright? read more

Tamales El Mexico - a man selling food from a cart - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Was cold and a lot of masa no meat and way to salty so for the price and the reviews that there amazing tamales I can't agree so I just can't give a 5 star read more

We absolutely loved these tamales! We brought them to a party so bought 20, and all of them were consistently delicious. The woman who runs the cart was extremely kind, friendly and accommodating. We will definitely be back!! read more

It was Christmas so I had a craving for tamales. I had read through Facebook foodie forums that there were some tamale car in the City heights area that was delicious. There's a couple of ladies selling tamales out of a cart in this area. I heard that the one on University by AutoZone was the better one so I had to go try it. It was 2 days before Christmas so I have planned to get a few for my boyfriend and I to eat over Christmas. I got 10 tamales for the two of us. We got four beef, 4 pork, and 2 cheese and jalapeno. The tamales were piping hot as they were held in a steam container. I just wish that they provided hot sauce here but we'll have to make do with what we have out at home. I wish I had saved some of the hot sauce I got from the Taco shop the other day. It's okay we have some other type of hot sauce at home. We didn't eat them right away as we waited to Christmas to eat them. A quick pop in the microwave and it was just as good as fresh. I wish there was more meat in the tamales but whatever that was in there tasted great. The masa was also delicious. Too bad they don't have more flavors here. read more

Amazing tamales and so fresh! Been going exclusively here for over 20 years and will continue for another...

Picked up a dozen on Thanksgiving, and they were great. Nice and moist. Good balance of masa and meat/condiments.

Wow all I can really say !!! Very moist and tasty Tamales !!! Each 1 different in taste and cannot go wrong with any of the choices ! Definitely will buy again ! Love in Carlsbad but worth the drive!!! read more

El jefe was on the hunt for tamales that tastes like his mom's. Our adventure led us to Tamales El Mexico. $2 tamales? Sure! Why not? The tamales are cheap, fat and filling. I ordered the beef, pork and jalapeno and cheese. The beef and jalapeno cheese were good. The pork was alright, although plain. The masa was well flavored and moist. And, did I say that the tamales were fat? I typically can eat about 3-4 tamales, in one sitting. But, these tamales were fairly big and I was stuffed after eating two. The only downside to ordering here is that you can't tell which tamale is what, if you order a variety. The tamales aren't labelled. El jefe got 4, but one of them was a "candy" tamale that he didn't even order. So, there is some guessing going on, by both the cart lady and the customer. They weren't exactly my favorite Mexican grandma's tamales. But, if you want to eat cheap, under $5 and are craving decent tamales, this is it. Be sure to bring cash. read more

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I've been going to this cart for years. It's moved to the gas station since the liquor store lot is being rebuilt. I'm glad they have stayed on El Cajon Blvd. Super delicious tamales. I grew up on overcooked red beef tamales but after living in San Diego, steamed pork tamales are now my favorite. Tamales El Mexico has amazing pork tamales. I used to always get the regular corn husk tamales here but today I went with one banana husk tamales and it was so delicious! It's worth the extra $ to get the banana husk, the tamale is so tender and a little bigger than the ones in the corn husk. The hot sauce is also really good here. If I were gonna bring tamales for Christmas I'd just go here. read more

Stopped here one night hoping to get some elote. They don't sell it anymore, it seems. Bought a couple of tamales instead. Good but nothing amazing. Definitely cheap, so maybe I'll end up here again. read more

At 2 bucks a piece, these steamed morsels are great!! There are so many places around here and all over SD to get really good tamales and this cart has been here for years! Is it my favorite... not necessarily, but its well worth it! Best to eat immediately. It doesn't taste as good if nuked later. read more

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Although the tamales didn't have a lot of meat inside, they tasted great and the champurado was amazing. I ordered beef and chicken tamales and I am a satisfied customer. read more

Bomb!!!! If you've never tried the banana leaf ones please try them. They are so juicy best tamales so far

Located in front of a liquor store a lady with a cart you expect these to be super authentic and a great bang for your buck. Sadly disappointed the tamales were mostly masa and for 2.50 a pop and practically no overhead I expected more. The beef tamale was dry and no sauce inside taste was bland and the cheese and jalapeño had very little cheese. Won't be going back to this tamale cart. read more

Tamales aren't too big and aren't too small. I always stop by here when I'm craving for a tamale. I typically get the pollo rojo or beef. Both are great. The lady working is nice too. read more

Unassuming cart outside of a liquor store but don't be put off by this humble setting. Some of the best tamales I've had in town. The pork & beef are my favs. The filling is plentiful & seasoned just right & the masa is delicious. read more

Tamales El Mexico - Tamale cart outside of liquor store. - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Very yummy! I asked if the Rajas con queso were vegetarian and she said yes, she makes them with vegetable shortening and the meat ones with lard. I really like them and for $1.50 a tamal, now that's a bargain. They also cater and have more than tamales. They offer tamales oaxaqueños as well as champurrado and of course the traditional tamales. The menu there is: *Traditional tamales: -Pork/Puerco -Beef/Res -Chicken/Pollo -Pepper and cheese?Rajas con queso -Pineapple/Piña -Corn/Elote *Tamales Oaxaqueños: -Beef and Pork *Champurrado/Mexican masa hot drink *For catering: Birria, tacos and more. Also in their business card says Pupuseria Nery Salvadorean and Mexican food! The lady's name'sElizabeth. There's als another address on the business card: 2479 Broadway Av. Suite A San Diego, CA 92102 Also offers wholesale for parties and events. read more

Fantastic tamales! It was worth the side detour. Authentic taste and not hard on the wallet. We came for the champurado...fell in love with the tamales!! read more

I LUV this place! I get my tamales from carrito sanwichero on University Avenue & 39th Street. They are the best tamales in SD and I've tried various places. I get pork with green salsa, nice and spicy, and the chicken in red salsa. Both are good and only cost $1.50 a piece. The meat vs. masa ratio is acceptable and they are not stingy with the meat. They taste even better after the clubs at 3am. read more

This tamale lady knows her stuff! My favorite are the hoja de plátano chicken tamales which are spicy & delish and their beef(res) tamales. Rain or shine, she's outside peddling her delicious tamales every day of the week. Show her some love! read more

1.50 a tamales is a great deal. The masa was done right though because of the cheaper price, there's less filling. The cheese and pepper is blah, since the cheese is chunky. But the chicken, beef, and. Pineapple were great. So if you need a quick tamales fix, this is the place to go. A cute cart in front of autozone and a liquor store read more

This tamale stand is so delicious and affordable! $2 per tamale and I usually get a few of each kind. The chicken with red (rojo) sauce is my favorite. Followed closely by the beef (res) with red sauce and pork with green chili! I take home 5 for $10! What a steal read more

Got a dozen tamales and took them home for the gang to eat. They said they loved the beef tamales, but the pork ones had little to no flavor. Although they are reasonably priced, like I said, the beef was a hit, but the pork was not. The staff was friendly and the place was clean, so I would recommend that if you're in the area You should try them for yourself and see what you think. read more

Mind blowing and sooo good!!! Got the pork tamales and the ran out of beef didn't get any sauce but it didn't even need any sauce. And again sooooo freeaaakkin good read more

My family and I were trying to find some delicious Mexican tamales to eat for Christmas Eve and we came across Tamales El Mexico. The tamales are deliciously authentic not to mention the customer service is great! Highly recommend. read more

These tamales are a great quality made for your buck. The masa is moist and it's filled with a reasonable amount of meat. Which is not what I can say for other stands that have barely any meet and full of masa. Always enjoy the pork tamale in a banana leaf! It's $2.50. Fifty cents more than the regular ones but worth the extra cents. Make sure to grab one or two and don't forget to get their champurrado! Has a very authentic taste! read more

Came here looking for tamales based on Yelp, without realizing it's a food stand. Husband liked the chicken tamales and I liked the cheese and jalapeno tamale. Just $2 each! read more

As a pseudo vegetarian, I can't personally vouch for these tamales, but they get a good response when I feed them to other people. Was on my way to visit a group that was stressed out and grumpy, and bought a couple to share. They were an excellent cure for a bad day, and everyone cheered up after eating. One tamal snob claimed that the masa was too dense, but that didn't stop her from gobbling up her share. Everyone agreed that the chicken was the best. At $2 each, these are a great option for a quick meal. read more

Was craving elote with mayo, cheese and chile' for awhile so I browsed online to see if I could find someone who sold them. I stopped by 'La Fachada' first and was told they don't make/sell them anymore. Second stop was here and luckily they had elote and tamales. An addition to the elote, I also bought a beef and chicken tamale. Everything was wrapped to go and I enjoyed it when I got home. Not the greatest but everything I ordered were GOOD. A good fix if you ever crave some good old Mexican Street food (but limited menu). I will come back here again and get the pineapple and strawberry tamale with champurrado. Yumm... :D read more