Seattle, WATamales

The tamales that began at a Green Lake walk-up window now anchor a full-service restaurant inside El Sueñito Brewing in Fremont. These are substantial, firm bundles with generous fillings such as pork in red chile, sweet potato in mole, and chorizo with cheese. A later special paired pork belly with mango and habanero in warm, light masa. Sit down with a tamale and a beer or horchata, and take time with the expanded menu beyond the original window's offerings.

Just south of Jefferson Park, this neighborhood café pairs Mexican coffee drinks with a serious tamale selection. The menu has included nopales, chorizo and cheese, and salsa verde fillings. Take the tamales cold to prepare at home, ask for them warm to eat on the way, or pair one with a coffee or americano at breakfast. The companionable room and the tamales give the café a savory reason to stop beyond its espresso counter.

At the Pike Place Market counter, rajas con queso tamales are a reason to stop for a corn-based meal. The Pike location carries them after the brand's Ballard shop closed, alongside juicy chicken tinga gorditas and Ranchero beef huaraches. Start with the tamal, then explore the other antojitos from this market stand. The group also has a Molino restaurant in Belltown, while the Pike stand keeps these dishes close to the market.

The Belltown walk-up window has tamales alongside tacos and burritos, with lard-free choices available. The rajas tamal brings salty cheese and sizable pieces of spicy jalapeño; the rojo pollo is another option if you want meat. These are a convenient stop while moving through the neighborhood, especially when a sit-down meal is not the plan. Go for the cheese-and-pepper filling first, then consider the chicken tamal if you want a second.

At this Georgetown dining room, the tamales are the order to make before moving on to larger plates. The chicken version brings pulled meat inside the masa and comes with black bean sauce, onion, cream, cilantro and queso fresco. Have a couple with a drink in the industrial-style space or outside under the patio lights. The menu ranges much wider, but the tamales stand out as one of the kitchen's most reliable dishes.