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    Tucson Tamale

    4.0 (261 reviews)

    Order Tucson Tamale Takeout or Delivery

    Tucson Tamale Photos

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    TUCSON TAMALE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Tucson Tamale

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    Dee O.

    We went here to try it this place out. Said they were Tali bites. I thought for sure they would be like little tamale. Bites, instead, it was like paupers= with jalapeno poplars. So I paid $6 for 6 and it wasn't worth it. If you're true Mexican which I brought my friend. Every thing was made back East, so is it really not true Mexican stuff? So this is you more. Healthier Mexican food. And there's a kid also in there. Bring your kid to work day. I guess so, it's kinda loud with the child. There was another couples in there.

    Robin S.

    Saw this place recommended by a few people on Reddit. The hype is real; I'm a fan. - delicious beef, chicken and blue corn (veggie) tamales - delicious black and pinto beans - delicious Mexican slaw - delicious salsas - expansive inventory of hot sauces. While not the biggest I've ever seen it's still a lot of hot sauces. Friendly folks here. Reasonable prices.

    Junior A.

    Came in from PHX for the day to try different food well surprise this place is well not good at all . I wounded how it got to the 4 stars . Meet was mushy , rice was dry and bean no good . And we got there when they just open on Sunday morning

    Black Bean & Corn.
    Britt C.

    My sister-in-law sent us a care package for Christmas from Tucson Tamale. The family was very excited to open them up. We had amazing options to choose from. My favorite out of all of them was the sausage and cheese. I have never had that in a tamale, I was sure missing out. They were all delicious and they are almost gone. I haven't been to their location. So I am lucky to have been able to try them here in California. I highly recommend.

    The holy grail.
    Janet M.

    Ok, so here is the thing about Oregon. If you move here from the desert Southwest and want YOUR Mexican food favorite goodies (whatever they are) you might be a touch sad and frustrated. Even if you are a gringa like me. Because: 1) Mexican places in the PNW can be a little gimmicky at times. Overdecorated with Mexican stuff and often servers greet you with "¡Hola amigos!" ( to which my visiting Latino-American old college friends took strong offense) and the music can be overdone. Way overdone. 2) The margaritas are just usually not great. Frozen or on the rocks. The last one I got had sugar on the rim instead of salt. (No, it was not fruity). Whaaa?! The chips and salsa are often just terrible and you are better off grabbing some Juanita's chips and a fresh salsa from Freddy's. 3) Some favorite things are stupid wrong. If you are like me ( I lived in Phoenix, Tucson, San Francisco, Austin , and Yuma) well the Mission Burritos are just missing, the fish tacos are sometimes lacking, you cannot find any decent queso, the Hatch Chiles are plain hard to find, the fajitas are not correct, and the tamales are...well, wrong. Bad. They show up huskless, covered abysmally with usually a sweet goopy sauce,shredded lettuce, and cheese. And they just hurt my heart. I do not know why this happens. My mom moved up from AZ after me and could not be dissuaded from ordering a tamale. In Phoenix they were her go to. I tried. I tried to tell her. She was so bummed. There are some good places, do not get me wrong, do not send me hate messages either, but they are usually good *with* an Oregon lens. But. Tucson Tamale Company sells their OG tamales online and in several Portland groceries including Freddy's, Safeway, and New Seasons. Frozen or cold in the deli ( that is at Safeway) they are around $3-4 each. Their online store has even more varieties along with some sauces,spices, candies, and other items. I tried the chicken and chile (ok, a little dry), the pork with cheese and green chile ( much better) and then last, the cheese and green chile (aka " green corn"). OH. MY. GOD. The package said " unwrap happiness." And I did!! Inside its corn husk, the masa was perfectly sweet and fluffy, the chiles were tasty, and there was a cheese pull. I am so happy about this. It was a pretty dang decent green corn tamale, of course not exactly like the ones the nice Pasqua Yaqui coworker in Tucson used to give me made by his mom, but 100% better than most if not all the tamales I have had in Portland. I am a happy happy camper. Of course my minions do not get it but I know my mom in heaven is giving me a high five. Now if I can just find some real Navajo tacos.

    My two tamale plate with Mexican slaw, chops and two salsas
    Darlene M.

    Wonderful fresh tamales anytime of the year. I went to find a hot sauce my son wanted. They have a ton of different hot sauces on their wall of heat! Decided to grab lunch while I was there. The two red chile beef tamale plate with two sides was wonderful. The tamale was light and filled with just the right amount of beef. For my sides I got the fresh corn tortilla chips and Mexican slaw which was a tasty light touch to the meal. They have a wonderful selection of fresh salsas to add just the right amount of heat. Also their staff was very nice and friendly ensuring everything was wonderful. I love supporting a local businesses. especially ones that do so much to give back to the community. I work in the Amphitheater Public School District and I know they have helped to support education in our community. Make the time to go visit a true jewel in the desert at Tucson Tamale.

    three different flavors of tamales
    Andrew C.

    Attention to all the pumpkin spice and sweater weather lovers out there, Tucson Tamale has a seasonal vegan pumpkin tamale. It's basically an incognito pumpkin spice latte but made into masa and wrapped in a corn husk (the sweater). In masa form, the aroma and taste reminds me of pumpkin bread. It will have you saying "it's fall y'all" before your last bite. Speaking of seasonal tamales, they also offer a Thanksgiving tamale. If carving a turkey isn't your thing then this is this is the next best option. It features roasted turkey, carrots, celery, and onions combined with sweet red cranberries, a touch of sage, and their homemade white masa. Instead of yelling, "Ma, the meatloaf!", you'll be saying, "Ma, the tamale!" Keep calm and masa on! They also offer traditional and vegan tamales such as red chile beef, chorizo and cheese, black bean and corn (V), blue corn and veggie (V), and green chile (V). Between the seasonal and everyday tamales offered at TTC, I can enjoy a tamale throughout the year and not get tired of one. I definitely recommend ordering your tamale with a side of chips and salsa because it features their homemade flavors. Their salsa covers the entire spectrum of spice level from Sherry's mild to Colette's medium to Todd's fire. Elite tip - sign up for rewards program and receive 2000 points. Also, your can order from Tap and Bottle, next door, and they will deliver.

    Wall of Heat - hot sauces for purchase (open bottles in fridge by register to test out).
    Michelle O.

    Absolutely delicious, nice decor/vibe, and a great selection of hot sauces to try and purchase. Service was slow but the cashier was training so I can't speak to usual standards. Manager was speedy though.

    Two tamale plate, plus excellent slaw and black beans covered in pico and salsa
    Kris L.

    The Tamales are so good here and the staff were very friendly. Our party of four ordered just about every tamale type offered on the restaurant menu plus sampled all the salsas at the salsa bar. Note that they have a huge variety of frozen tamales, but only a small fraction are offered hot for eating on site. I had the vegan blue corn vegetable with Mexican slaw and black beans, everything was great. The tamales were large, moist and the bit of spiciness in the slaw complimented it perfectly. Our party also ordered guacamole and chips and the chips are stellar, melt in your mouth crisp and light and the guacamole was nice and chunky. Be sure and stop here if you are in the neighborhood, or on the East side at Tanque Verde.

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    Hi Maria! Thank you for your review and feedback.

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    Tamales are delicious! Red chili beef are our favorites. Always consistent and good service.

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    Terrible tamales. No flavor. Masa and no meat. The hot sauce selection is great though.

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    Ask the Community - Tucson Tamale

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    Ugh! I feel genuinely bad about giving this place three stars because it has all the makings of…read morebeing a five stars if not for one very important thing...the food. Which, you know, is kind of the whole point of a restaurant. The atmosphere was great, a little on the nose, but great none the less. It feels like a Mexican dinner or at least what I imagined a dinner in Mexico would look like. The staff where beyond amazing, especially the woman who made our complementary salsa right at the table. And the salsa was yummy but sadly that's the only part of the meal that I can say that about. The thing is, nothing was truly bad, but just about everything was incredibly bland. You'd have expected someone who puts raisins in potato salad to have served it, not an authentic Mexican restaurant. Though the positive is the lack of seasoning is really the only major problem. The food did not have any weird taste, it wasn't dry, the presentation was fine. It simply needs to be seasoned and this place goes to a solid 4/5 rather than a three.

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    Table made salsa

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    Tumerico - Cuban tacos

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    4.8(1.5k reviews)
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    Last year for 2025, Tucson took six coveted spots on Yelp's 100 Best Places to Eat in 2025. This…read moreyear there is only one spot at #32 and it goes to Tumerico, a vegan place. You bet your ass I am going to check it out on this Taco Tuesday. Okay, the guy that greets you welcomes every customer with wide open arms. I mean, never ever have I ever met someone that awesome!!!! He walked us through the menu that seemed to have a hundred plus items. We were so overwhelmed. He told us his favorite and that is what my son ordered. The guy took the time to ask what we were in the mood for. And as we were leaving he shouted goodbye all across the room. When someone is that happy, it's infectious. Here is what we ordered: - Chocohata (authentic Oaxacan chocolate) - Mesquite Latte - Frida Khalo Tostadas - Chile Relleno - Taco Plate Warning: portions are huge!! Everything is so fresh and delicious. Vegan at its best. I could not tell that I was not eating meat. I can see how it made it to the top 100. The hours on the business page is incorrect but I am too lazy to make the correction so make sure you look it up on Google.

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    Amelias Mexican Kitchen - 1 QUESABIRRIA WITH SOUP (juicy meat)

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    4.4(726 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    Pretty good. Pretty good. Of the four of us who gathered to dine here last Friday, (late summer of…read more2026), three in our party raved about their meals, and had nothing but high-praise for the experience. We three, actually loved everything about AMELIAS. Us three (*let's just call them "the cool ones"), were wowed by the taste of our food and noted that the plate presentations were kinda cool-- and a little "more-fancy" than what is typically placed down upon the table at your typical Mexican food restaurants. AMELIAS adds a bit of "pizazz" and "decorum" to their menu items--like edible flowers that float in your margarita, or wavy lines of crema that dance on the seas of flavorful sauces that accompany the tamales, 'chiladas, and relleno plates served here. Three-forths of us also noted how attentive and friendly those who served us were. And... we (the cool ones) also all noticed how the warm, cheerful, and welcoming ambiance and decor of the place added to the enjoyment of our meal. (*Play Debbie-downer walk-up music) One in our group...(dramatic pause)... was notably quiet and reserved when it was her turn to rave about her dish. This person, smiled and shared that she thought her food was, "pretty good." But, now that I think about it...her praise was kinda limited, and she, indeed, was a bit reticent. I would find out later, as we lay in bed that night, that one in our group had not enjoyed her meal as much the other three had. Apparently, the cheese and chicken enchiladas dish that was ordered was not to this person's liking, and she added that she thought the service was "just okay". Not wanting to bring-down the mood of the evening, this person played along and didn't criticize. Now, I am not trained in psychology, but if feels like...(how do I put this delicately?)... okay. (*the writer thinks for a bit). Sometimes... when one in our party does not get to pick the restaurant that we are going to try, it seems to me... that...(dramatic pause as I try to find just the right words to say this).. I seems to me... that...This person is just, "not going to enjoy" the place that was picked, no matter how good it is. There! I said it. And while I'm on the subject... your mom is just like this too. And now you know the rest of my story. Let's summarize: AMELIAS is a very good restaurant and you will enjoy the heck out of your meal. Unless, of course, you insist on being the one who picks where your group goes out to eat-- and you don't get your way. Then, you will find it to be, "pretty good", but complain about it later in bed. (I know this is supposed to be a restaurant review, and not a mini-soap opera. But I hope you enjoyed our little dive into the psychology of relationships.) Until next time, this is the guy who will be sleeping on the couch for a night or two if my beloved happens to read this. (lol--she will find humor in this...and, of course, disagree with my "junior-psychologist" interpretation of why she thought Amelias was just okay. )

    Wow, wow, wow!! We were craving Mexican while traveling and stopped by on a Saturday night. You…read moreknow it's gonna be good when folks are waiting outside to be seated. The food was creative while maintaining that fabulous fresh, handmade Mexican flavor profile. Absolutely delicious! Pricing landed somewhere in the $$ amount per person including beverage and appetizer. Very fair for the level of hand-crafting going into every dish. We didn't have a reservation (highly recommend getting one for busy times) and were happy to sit where they could fit us. Our server Louie was EXCELLENT. He walked us through the entire menu in 3 minutes and we felt confident ordering. He also suggested an amazing appetizer featuring chilies stuffed with cheese and shrimp and wrapped in bacon . I ordered the Fajitas Mixtas for my main as I wanted to try several meats. Hubby ordered the shrimp enchiladas with both green and red sauce. Both were beautiful and delicious. I also tried the mocktail that had prickly pear puree. It was delicious and refreshing. The menu had options available for folks seeking Gluten Free, too. Amelia's was decked out with modern, slightly edgy decor that was welcoming and exciting. Seating for wheelchair users could easily be accommodated by dining table chair removal. The Oracle Street location isn't huge, but the staff does a fantastic job getting folks in and you won't feel cramped. I could definitely see the place needing to expand due to popularity someday soon. Go and you won't regret it. This has made the list for returning to the next time we're in town!

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    Amelias Mexican Kitchen - An action shot of some of the friendly and attentive service that is the standard here.  (*you can't tell from the pic, but they are good)

    An action shot of some of the friendly and attentive service that is the standard here. (*you can't tell from the pic, but they are good)

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    La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine - Mozzarella sticks

    La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine

    4.6(110 reviews)
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    Super fun place for great Sonoran dogs and tacos. We wanted to sit in their patio but Tucson is…read moreHOT! So we got take out for lunch and everything was amazing. Service was friendly and the food is good. Can't ask for more than that.

    Overall, the service was good and the food tasted good, but the pricing didn't quite match the…read moreculinary experience for me. Honestly, I wish I could give Yaquesita a little more, maybe half a star more, because this place definitely has potential. Their flavors are good, but compared to similar restaurants the menu feels a bit overpriced. For a party of three we ended up paying around $100, which felt like a bit much for what we got. The restaurant itself is pretty small with only about 3-4 tables inside, but the patio is a decent size and has a cute vibe. It's actually a nice option on cooler days if you don't mind sitting outside. Some items were better than others. The wet-style burrito was delicious and definitely a highlight. The quesabirrias were good, however the birria felt more like fancier shredded beef. It was missing that rich, spicy, slightly acidic, earthy flavor that usually sets birria apart from barbacoa or traditional shredded beef dishes. The bowl was just okay and had lots of lettuce. It felt more like a salad with a bit of meat, rice, and beans. Honestly, Chipotle does bowls better, and that says a lot considering the price. The nachos were good, but I've had better. Seis Kitchen has amazing nachos to share. That said, it's definitely a place I'd come back to mainly out of convenience, not because one particular item on the menu won my heart. I really do hope they continue refining the menu because the flavors are there and this place could easily become a standout spot. Personally I just think at the total price of my ticket other restaurants should not even have room in my mind during my meal. If you're in the area and looking for a safe bet where everyone will probably find something they like, it's worth giving them a try.

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    2 Piece Quesabirrias IG: ea_yelpelite

    Tucson Tamale - mexican - Updated August 2026

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