Tamales, everywhere.
The reigning tamales pick in every Top Tier Eats city, ranked by the locals who eat there.
Tamales is unclaimed.
No city has published a ranking yet. The first local to publish a Top 5 claims the lead.
The Northeast
- Boston
Tu y Yo and Mr. Tamole, per Time Out Boston
- Buffalo
- New Haven
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
La Palapa and Panaderia Jazmin, per Pittsburgh City Paper
- Portland, ME
Restaurante El Corazón and Taco Trio, per Portland Press Herald
- Providence
- Rochester
- Syracuse
- Utica
The Midwest
- Chicago
Santa Masa Tamaleria and Yvolina's Tamales, per The Infatuation
- Cincinnati
Tortilleria Garcia - Springdale and Latonia Bodega, per Cincinnati CityBeat
- Cleveland
- Columbia, MO
El Oso Mexican Grill and El Fogón Veracruzano, per Feast Magazine
- Columbus, OH
La Poblanita and Dos Hermanos, per The Columbus Dispatch
- Detroit
- Indianapolis
Tlaolli and 3 in 1 Restaurant, per Indianapolis Monthly
- Kansas City
Yoli Tortilleria - Retail and Elviras Cakes, per Kansas City magazine
- Madison
El Sabor de Puebla and Zavala's Market & Taqueria, per Cap Times
- Milwaukee
Margarita Paradise and Las Gardenias Mexican Cuisine, per OnMilwaukee
- Minneapolis–St. Paul
- Omaha
Masa Luna and Aviles Latin Market, per Flatwater Free Press
- Quincy
- Springfield, MO
Tortilleria Perches and Primas Mexican Kitchen, per 417 Magazine
- St. Louis
La Oaxaqueña and Sueño Latino Restaurant, per St. Louis Magazine
The South
- Asheville
- Atlanta
- Austin
Tamale House and Delicious Tamales, per Austin American-Statesman
- Baltimore
- Birmingham
Sabor Latino Restaurant and Kool Korner Sandwiches, per Bham Now
- Charleston, SC
Kooben Café Mexicano and Maya Del Sol Kitchen, per Charleston City Paper
- Charlotte
Johnny Burrito and Southern Pecan, per Charlotte Observer
- Dallas–Fort Worth
Dallas Tortilla & Tamale Factory and Tia Dora's Bakery, per D Magazine
- Hampton Roads
- Houston
Momma's Tamales and Don Pepe, per Houston Chronicle
- Louisville
- Memphis
Pop's Tamales and Hattie's Tamale, per The Daily Memphian
- Miami / South Florida
- Nashville
Pupuseria Reina La Bendición and El Cubilete, per The Infatuation
- New Orleans
Guillory's Deli and Tamales and El Pavo Real, per Eater New Orleans
- Oklahoma City
Tamales El Patio and Supermercados Morelos, per 405 Magazine
- Orlando
Tamale Co. and Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant, per Orlando Weekly
- Raleigh–Durham
La Superior and El Chapin, per Eater Carolinas
- Richmond
TBT El Gallo and Abuelita's, per Richmond Magazine
- San Antonio
Tamale Boy Tacos & Tamales and Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa, per San Antonio Express-News
- Savannah
- Tampa Bay
Mercado - Edge District and Ranchero Tacos, per Tampa Magazine
- Washington, DC
El Viejo Central American Kitchen and Mi Casita Bakery and Deli, per Washingtonian
The West
- Albuquerque
- Denver
Tamales By La Casita and Pochitos Tortilla Factory, per 5280
- Honolulu
- Las Vegas
Doña Maria Tamales and Patty’s Tamales, per Eater Vegas
- Los Angeles
Tamales Alberto and Tamales Liliana’s, per The Infatuation
- Phoenix
The Tamale Store and Los Sombreros, per PHOENIX magazine
- Portland, OR
Ki’ikibáa and Tamale Boy Dekum, per Portland Monthly
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
La Casa Del Tamal and Victor's Restaurant, per Salt Lake Magazine
- San Diego
El Indio and Tamales Ancira, per San Diego Magazine
- Santa Fe
Posa's Tamale Factory & Restaurant and El Parasol, per The Santa Fe New Mexican
- Seattle
Frelard Tamales and Cafetal Quilombo Cafe, per Seattle Met
- SF Bay Area
Antojitos Guatemaltecos and Bombera, per San Francisco Chronicle
- Tucson
Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant and El Torero Restaurant, per Arizona Daily Star