The Tamale Girl

4.3 (4 reviews)

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The Tamale Girl - Tamale plate with 2 tamales, sides of rice and beans and salsa. - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

The Tamale Girl - Tamales usually always available at market. From left to right- chicken, vegan black bean, beef & pork mild and beef & pork spicy. - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

The Tamale Girl - More delicious tamales choices: POC - poblano, onion, & cheese, sweet tamale, and another vegan black bean. - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

The Tamale Girl - Singer Steve Poltz came by for a visit to get some hot tamales on a cold January day! - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

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Shubhi A.

Elite 26

326

396

3016

5 years ago

Aah my favourite Girl in St Jacobs! This girl knows how to please your tastebuds. She prepares offbeat Mexican food with local ingredients. Whenever I visit St Jacobs, this food stall is a must stop shop for me and my hubby. Being vegetarian I love the food options available and how she customizes them for me! So whether its Tamales ( my favourite: spicy black bean and corn) or soups, or tacos - it becomes hard to chose just one of them lol. I generally grab daily spl to eat there and take out frozen tamales, which becomes my lunch speak during busy office hours! My husband can't get over the chicken tamales. My 14 Months old loves the rice and beans which comes in the tamale platter, so Whenever I visit st jacobs I dint pack food for her! Hahah saves me time and effort! Well, what to say. How nicely the girl and her daughter serve you, attend you and treat you , they just build a relationship earning regular customers! Wat to go girl! read more

The Tamale Girl - Breakfast vegan taco - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

Helpful 8

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Love this 8

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Suzie R.

Elite 21

111

785

6 years ago

I totally was in the mood for a tamale on that cold Grey December day and there The Tamale Girl was at St. Jacobs Farmers Market! Super friendly and helpful (told me not to eat it like a burrito) and I ordered the mild beef and pork one. Ate it in the car with a mild salsa, so tender and flavourful. Just what I needed! Best price I have seen for a tamale too. I usually make my own because they usually start at $8 but hers were around $5 and so good. Lovely woman and fantasticfood. No complaints! read more

The Tamale Girl - My mild beef and pork tamale - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

The Tamale Girl - The Tamale Girl at St. Jacobs Farmers Market - Street Vendors Near Me - Kitchener, Ontario

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Helpful 2

Thanks 0

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Min Min I.

297

423

7 years ago

Been coming here for a couple of years now. Lovely service that's consistent. The tamales are lightly flavoured and the ingredients really fresh. I love the salsa that comes with it. Often I come here for a $10 plate, which is already generous for a single person: Two tamales, beans, rice and salsa. Vegetarian and vegans always have something to try here, about 2-4 choices. She also uses compostable plates so that's am added bonus for a thoughtful business. read more

Helpful 1

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Kai Q.

8 years ago

The girl was nice however I didn't like the tamale I bought. It's pricy, not my cup of tea, and unauthentic: I bought one for testing the water as she only had beef and pork mixed (as she claimed it was the way she was taught). I've only had pork or chicken tamales in California, but I was excited and curious as I was also hesitant. It's one for $5 or 6 for $15. But I'm glad I only bought one for testing. The tamale itself was skinny and was half the size as the ones I had in California. Although it had the corn smell which I liked, after having the first bite, I couldn't continue eating as I couldn't handle the ground beef smell and couldn't taste the pork(assuming it was also grounded). I talked to a Mexican friend who grew up in California and was told tamale usually comes with pork or chicken. When I told him that the one I had was filled with ground beef, I noticed his weird facial expression: clearly the tamale I bought from the farmer's market was not authentic. I wouldn't recommend this place for its ground beef mixed with pork recipe but some people might like it. read more

Business owner information

Kathy H.

Hello Kai,…

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More info about The Tamale Girl

300 King Street East
Kitchener, ON N2G 2L3
Canada
Directions
(905) 626-7431
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Full menu

Hours

What time does The Tamale Girl open?

The Tamale Girl opens at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.The Tamale Girl opens at 7:00 AM on Saturday.

What time does The Tamale Girl close?

The Tamale Girl is closed on Monday and Sunday.The Tamale Girl closes at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.The Tamale Girl closes at 2:00 PM on Saturday.

Mon, Sun ClosedTue-Fri 8:00 AM - 3:00 PMSat 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does The Tamale Girl have catering options?

Yes, The Tamale Girl does have catering options.

Does The Tamale Girl serve alcohol?

No, The Tamale Girl does not serve alcohol.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Tamale Girl have bike parking?

Yes, The Tamale Girl has bike parking.

Does The Tamale Girl have parking?

Yes, The Tamale Girl has parking options.

Other Amenities

Is The Tamale Girl wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Tamale Girl is wheelchair accessible.

From the Business

Specialties

The Tamale Girl will be physically closing and my last day will be Saturday March 28th - we will be open from 7am - 2pm and then closing for good. It has been such a great run and I am so thankful for all my customers.

History

Established in 2012.

My business will be physically closing for good and my last day will be March 28th 7-2pm 2026.

Meet the Business Owner: Kathy H.

I moved from Texas to Canada in 1999. Having attented culinary arts at Del Mar College in Texas and having restaraunt blood running though my veins (my Grandmother and Mom both respectively owned restaraunts in Texas). The desire to create exciting food with a focus on meeting the many dietary needs of a growing population with an emphasis on being gluten-free and always having many vegan and vegatarian options is what inspires me to make the food I do. I love seeing the happiness on peoples faces once they have enjoyed a plate of not only freshly made, but beautifully presented tamales with my Mom's amazing rice and bean recipe which I am so thankful to have mastered. My feelings are food should be simple, have few ingriedients, and be made with care and love.

More Info

Health Score

Marquez Churros

5.0

(1 review)

0.0 km

Amazing food and a great environment!! I 100% recommended the quesabirria and the popcorn…read morechurros!!! I will be recommending this to everyone looking for delicious and authentic Mexican food!

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Marquez Churro Restaurant in the Kitchener Market!

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Fo' Cheezy Gourmet Grilled Cheese

4.0

(1 review)

12.1 km

Great sandwich - I got the Cajun Chicken. The Cheetos were a little stale tasting otherwise I would…read morehave given the 5 star. Customer service was great and appreciated that they had debit available.

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Cibo Streetery

5.0

(1 review)

9.1 km

Alex catered a birthday party that I attended and what a fantastic experience that was! Amazing…read moreItalian comfort food. I got to try the deep fried gnocchi and a sausage panzerotto, both of which were delicious! The gnocchi in particular were a group favourite -- lightly battered and well-spiced with some cheese sprinkled on top. And the accompanying marinara sauce was to die for! Alex provides great service -- his friendly and attentive demeanour really added to the whole experience!

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House made traditional lasagna

Deep.Fried.Lasagna.

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Pierogi Pigs

4.0

(1 review)

3.4 km

Hand made by people who love what they do and it shows! Lots of flavour variations, but the…read moreoriginal "loaded" with spicy mayo works for me.

From the owner: Pierogi Pigs is a family-owned & operated food truck located in Kitchener. We are serving up…read morepierogi dishes based off of a timeless family recipe, handmade daily using only the freshest & local ingredients. #PIGOUT

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The Mighty Cob

5.0

(1 review)

69.0 km

I highly reccomend if you love corn!!…read more They were here for the night market in square one. When i saw they were going to be involved, i knew immediately i wanted to go! They were in a small food venture. It was a good day to visit and try out their corn, i haven't had corn in a long timeee which i was so excited! I ordered 2 corns - one for me, one for my mom and also bought sweet tea. The guys were so nice! It didn't took them long to cook, we only had to wait few minutes. We can choose any toppings but me and my mom decided to go with seasoned salt only. We took it home. I have to say....i ended up finishing mine and mom's corn hahaha! The sweet tea was topped with lemon - refreshing and perfect! Such a short experience i went but so memorable, love it hehe!

From the owner: We're not your normal corporate caterer, festival merchant, mobile food vendor or event organizer -…read morethough we do all those things. The Mighty Cob is a revolutionary catering and special events company serving events of all sizes - from corporate event catering to product launches and even private backyard BBQ's! We are the premier sweet corn roaster and caterer in North America - we know this because we get calls from California to Quebec, we make a kick-ass lemonade too!

Photos

Kettle Corn Anyone? Jamie's Cracked Corn To The Rescue Available at The Mighty Cob. It's Organic and Gluten Free!

A trio of Roasted Sweet Corn being buttered for business.

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Eloté - Mexican Style Corn On The Cob Catering and BBQ Roasting.

Scoop Du Jour

Ice cream is the perfect remedy on a hot day. Offers up very unique flavours and as mentioned…read morelocally sourced products ( & dark chocolate, lemon cream). Person there was very nice and offered up samples of their flavours. Saw options for vegan ice cream and goat milk ice cream which caters towards people that are lactose intolerant. I ordered the St Jacobs Apple Pie ice cream on a waffle cone and it was creamy, slight tartness from the apples and lil bit of that pie crust crumble for $3.75. great price, cute lil food truck place and a perfect place grab a scoop on a warm sunny day!

I'm surprised this place is rated so high on Google. I tried the pistachio and my friend has the…read morescotch+almond. Both flavours were overly sweet and extremely artificial. The server was extremely helpful though, and looked up for me that an extract was used for flavoring instead of real, crushed pistachios. Definitely not worth it.

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Flavours du jour!

St Jacobs Apple Pie ice cream, so good!!

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Daily flavours

Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters

They offer good baked goods and coffee. Parking can be challenging, so it's best to arrive early on…read moreweekends or consider biking. Weekdays are even more difficult for parking. Pay parking is available for the VIA Train Station, but it often fills up. It's a nice place to wait for a train.

Smile Tiger Coffee is a gem perfectly located just steps from the VIA Rail/GO Station, making it an…read moreideal stop when picking up friends or heading to the train. I have tried their flat white, London fog, lemon scone, cheddar scone and date square. All were beautifully made and full of flavor. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with plenty of greenery and a relaxed vibe. There is also outdoor seating to enjoy on nice days. The staff are consistently fast, friendly, and welcoming, making every visit smooth and enjoyable whether you are grabbing a quick drink or staying to relax. Parking out front is limited to 15 minutes, but the train station offers 30 minutes free or the option to pay for longer. While the parking is not perfect, the coffee, treats, and atmosphere more than make up for it. Definitely a must stop spot every time I am at the station.

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Interior environment

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Hot Americano

La Patisserie

4.7

(18 reviews)

2.7 km

Warning: These baguettes, cakes, and Danishes may cause extreme happiness and crumbs everywhere!…read more#FoodieHeaven

Bought a birthday cake here for a friend's birthday. I didn't order ahead since this was planned…read morelast minute, so I bought a cake that was available for that day. The cheesecake was delicious; it was fresh and fluffy. I was afraid that it would be too sweet for us but it was just right. On top of that, the cake was really pretty looking. Will definitely come back to buy a cake for another celebration.

Photos

White chocolate truffle cheesecake.

Menu & prices

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The bakery itself. The photos I took do not do the pastries justice.

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Heather J.

8 years ago

I have had the occasion to taste and try a few of the different options The Tamale Girl offers. I have bought them in bulk as I love them as a snack with sour cream. The chicken is my fav but love the beef and veggie . I have just recently returned from a trip to Mexico and had a few tamales while there. I must say the taste was the same. So when people ask about being authentic Yes they truly are. Everyone's opinion and taste is different but comparing to authentic Mexican then she is spot on. Keep up the good food ! read more

Oliver M.

4 years ago

This is by far my favourite vendor at the market. The food is fresh, delicious, and nutritious. I like to stock my freezer with frozen tamale so I always have the base for a family-approved meal. Aside from the exquisite food, the vibe here is so positive and cheerful--I leave the Tamale Girl's stand happier than I started. Thank you for your amazing attitude and unparalleled food! read more

Tina H.

3 years ago

I grew up eating tamales when my family lived in Mexico, so to come across Kathy in the Market at st Jacob's with tamales! Yes!!! These are my family's favorite quick go to meal or snack. Kathy and Cloe are of course the sweetest and friendliest chicas you'll run into at the market! I love Kathy's story on how she learned to make Mexican food! read more

Bernadette H.

8 years ago

Kathy serves up the best tamales servicing all types of foodies, vegan, vegetarian and meat lovers alike and she is an amazing host to all your catering needs in this food category. I was hoping to get more tamales today but will need to wait for the next time she is having an event however, she does deliver. Enjoy! read more

Sue T.

3 years ago

It's worth the drive from Oakville to stock up on our favorite tamales! I am obsessed with their vegan black bean tamale, while my hubby loves the beef & pork. Salsa is fantastic too. We shared a plate which came with beans, rice & salsa. Perfection!! read more

kaleigh r.

2 years ago

I love the tacos they are as close to authentic as you can find and i've had her beef and pork tamale, chicken and the vegetarian tamales which were delicious. Definitely recommend!!! I come here whenever I can read more

Charlotte H.

8 years ago

The Tamale Girl's tamales are THE BEST! I can have them as a quick lunch or dinner...they are filled with protein and veggies.... and a lot of love! If you haven't tried them... you have to! read more

Joy V.

8 years ago

I love Kathy's Tamales! Kathy is the real deal ... Authentic Tamales - here in Canada! I've tried her mild and spicy and all the varietys. I miss her products here in Durham Region! read more

Sandra R.

3 years ago

Love these flavourful tamales. I buy them frozen at the Kitchener market and use them for quick work-week lunches. They are naturally gluten free and there are vegan options. read more

Hol W.

8 years ago

Fantastic authentic tamales! Options for everyone, vegans, carnivores, and like me, a foodie. Delighted to find authentic tamales in Canada (California transplant). Yum! read more

Hayley B.

8 years ago

Best tamales out there!!! No need to take a trip to Mexico, just give the tamale girl a call!! Fresh, hand-rolled, delicious tamales!!! THIS IS A MUST TRY IN MY BOOKS!!! read more

Denise P.

3 years ago

Homesick Texan here who drives an hour from home to pick up dozens of these delicious tamales! If you haven't tried them you're missing out. read more