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Start a Top 5 for TamalesEditor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in OnMilwaukee and Milwaukee Magazine. Updated September 2026.
Margarita Paradise · Historic Third Ward
Tamales are made in house at this Milwaukee Public Market counter and steamed in a corn husk or a plantain leaf. The jalapeño and cheese version brings a generous hit of pepper, while black bean is an option for those avoiding meat. Salsa, pico de gallo and añejo cheese accompany the order. Try the jalapeño and cheese beside the black bean to compare the two fillings over a casual market lunch.
Las Gardenias Mexican Cuisine · Historic Third Ward
This Guadalajara-influenced dining room makes plated tamales in two styles: seasonal vegetables with salsa roja, salsa verde and mole, or chicken with salsa verde. The handmade approach is clear, though the vegetable version has been called bland despite its three sauces. The chicken option appears on the menu but did not receive that same tasting judgment.