Austin, TX
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The tamale counters and kitchens the Austin American-Statesman put in its holiday order-by-the-dozen guide, from an East Sixth Street window to a frozen specialist out in Manor.
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Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Austin American-Statesman. Updated September 2026.
Tamale House · East Austin
The East Sixth Street kitchen puts tamales at the center of its December, opening pre-orders for pickup between the nineteenth and Christmas Eve. The Statesman records fillings of pork, chicken, bean and cheese, and jalapeno, sold singly at eight dollars or as six-packs at forty five that come with a pint of house-made sauce. Order the six-pack rather than singles, because the sauce only comes with it. The Texas register has carried a permit at this address since 2013.
Delicious Tamales · East Riverside
The cheapest dozen in the Statesman's guide at $13.85, from a shop that sells nothing but tamales. The menu runs wide: pork, chicken, bean and cheese, jalapeno-infused fillings, vegetarian blends and a seasonal pumpkin tamal, plus sweet blends and jalapeno cheese poppers. Order hot if you are eating today and cold if you are stocking a freezer, which is a choice the counter offers on every filling. The Statesman names two Austin shops; the Oltorf one is the address on the state permit register.
Tamale Addiction · Manor
Out in Manor, about twenty kilometres east of the capitol, this one works in frozen tamales for pickup, delivery and farmers market distribution rather than a hot counter. The Statesman lists pork with tomatillo sauce and chicken mole on the meat side and, among the vegetarian fillings, poblano with cheese and spinach with caramelized onions. Order the spinach and caramelized onion, which is the filling that has no equivalent anywhere else on this list. Packs start at $5.85 a tamal.
Mi Ranchito Restaurant · South Austin
A family-owned South Austin restaurant that sells tamales all year and simply makes more of them once December comes, which is why it holds a place here rather than on a holiday-only list. The Statesman counts pork in guajillo chile, chicken in tomatillo, jalapeno and cheese, bean and cheese, vegetarian, sweet potato and strawberry. Order the pork in guajillo by the dozen at $28, or take a half dozen for $16. Warm, cold or frozen are all on offer.
Rosie's Tamale House ( Mexican Restaurant ) · Bee Cave
The Hill Country end of the list, on Highway 71 west of the city, and a Texas permit has sat at the address since 2010. The Statesman keeps the description plain: classic preparations wrapped in corn husks, sold by the half dozen at $10 or the dozen at $17. Order the six served with chili at $12.45, which is the only item in the listing priced as a plate rather than by the pack.