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The best part of the holidays is the anticipation of unwrapping something special ... and I’m not talking about gifts.

Grabbing a plateful of tamales and unwrapping the corn husk layer to reveal soft, fluffy masa and shredded beef marinated in spicy red chile is the best present anyone could ask for.

One bite of a red chile tamal can send you back to being 8 years old, scarfing down tamales and pozole on Christmas Eve while begging your parents to allow you to open just one gift before Christmas Day.

We asked our readers to share some of their favorite spots in town for delicious tamales. From meat markets to historic Mexican restaurants, this list is full of recommendations sure to help you make great holiday memories this year. To buy them by the dozen for Christmas, be sure to order ASAP, though.  

St. Mary’s Mexican Food

1030 W. St. Marys Road

St. Mary’s Mexican Food was among the top comments when we asked readers for their tamal suggestions. Since 1978, St. Mary’s has been a staple in Tucson, with many loving their red chile burritos. But burritos aren’t the only thing they excel in — their tamales are also unforgettable. They make both red chile and green corn.

Tucson Tamale

7286 N. Oracle Road

I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that Tucson Tamale made our reader-recommended list ... I mean, tamale is in the name. Tucson Tamale uses organic, non-GMO corn and hormone- and antibiotic-free pork and chicken in their handmade tamales. Their restaurant is like tamal heaven. But ff you can’t stop by the restaurant, Tucson Tamale also has various packs you can order online.

El Torero

231 E. 26th St.

For decades and decades, Tucsonans could trust Lerua’s with all their tamal needs. But disaster struck in 2019 when the beloved Mexican restaurant closed its doors. Thankfully, their sister restaurant, El Torero, is still serving their iconic tamales. At El Torero, you can buy a dozen Lerua’s tamales for $40 to $45. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is choosing between green corn, beef or chicken. You can also sit down at El Torero and order one of their plates. They also have tamale pie and veggie tamale pie on the menu.

One reader said they make the best green corn tamales, hands down.

Tania’s Flour Tortillas

2856 W. Drexel Road

Not to get confused with Tania’s 33 (which is also on this list), Tania’s Flour Tortillas seems to be another popular choice among our readers. Here, you can find beef tamales and green corn tamales. One of our readers said this is the ONLY place she goes for tamales.

El Charro

311 N. Court Ave., 7725 N. Oracle Road, 6910 E. Sunrise Drive

This is the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. You can find all kinds of tamales here: carnitas, chicken tomatillo, red chile beef, fresh corn and shrimp. A reader recommended their hemp tamales. These plant-based tamales are made with hemp seed, organic corn, flax, nopales and quinoa, topped with a green tomatillo sauce.

You can also order packs online and get them shipped anywhere. They have various 12- and 24-packs of tamales on their website.

Anita’s Street Market

849 N. Anita Ave.

Anita’s Street Market has been a go-to spot for delicious red chile and homemade tortillas. Anita’s serves red chile and green corn tamales by the dozen. They also sell the masa and their red chile sauce if you want to give tamale-making a try.

Tania’s 33

614 N. Grande Ave.

Tania’s 33 has all your holiday needs: pozole, menudo and tamales. You can buy red chile and green corn tamales at this iconic spot in Barrio Hollywood. When it comes to their go-to tamale spot, one of our readers said it’s no debate: Tanias 33 is the place to go.

Del Cielo Tamal

3073 N. Campbell Ave.

Del Cielo Tamal is a wonderland of tamales. They have every flavor you can imagine: red chile beef, chicken in green salsa, green corn and red chile spinach. The best part: they have tons of vegan options, including red chile spinach and a seasonal special. 

Mesa Tortillas

7342 E. Broadway, 3923 E. Pima St.

Not only do they make great tortillas, but Mesa Tortillas also has all kinds of delicious tamales on the menu. Red chile beef, red chile pork, red chile chicken and red chile jackfruit all are featured. They also have green corn tamales and the masa in case you want to make your own tamales this year. Can’t make it to one of their locations? You can order tamales from their website and get them shipped to you for the holidays.

Los Jarritos

4832 S. 12th Ave.

At Los Jarritos, the Erunez family makes meals that taste like we're enjoying our grandma’s home cooking. And just like our grandma, they also make homemade tamales. You can buy beef and corn tamales. They also sell just the masa.

Salsa Verde

210 N. Pantano Road, 3894 N. Oracle Road

Mexican comfort food is Salsa Verde’s specialty. Here, you can order carne con chile pork tamales, salsa verde pork tamales and elote with chile verde tamales. If you’re feeling crazy, you can get your tamales enchilada style with cheese.

Perfecto’s Mexican Restaurant

5404 S. 12th Ave.

Perfecto’s has won Best Overall Tamal at Casino Del Sol’s annual Tamal Festival various times, so you know they are the real deal. At this south-side restaurant, you can order a dozen tamales for your holiday parties. If you’re just craving tamales for lunch, they also have various combo plates that include their signature tamales.

Aguajito Meat Market

2800 E. Ft. Lowell Road

On a Reddit thread about where to find the best red chile tamales in town, three users recommended Aguajito Meat Market. According to their Facebook page, the make both red chile and green corn tamales.

Carniceria Wild West

4825 N. First Ave.

Carniceria Wild West is another meat market that Tucsonans rave about. Here, you can buy and indulge in the classic tamal flavors: red chile and green corn.

El Sur

5602 E. 22nd St.

El Sur has been serving Tucson since 2002, including plates of enchiladas, chile rellenos and carne asada chimichangas. Two readers recommended El Sur's freshly made sweet green corn tamales.

Supercarniceria del Valle

2611 W. Drexel Road

Readers enjoy the tamales from this carniceria, which sells red chile and green corn.

Casa Molina

3001 N. Campbell Ave.

Casa Molina has been serving Tucson for decades and decades. Readers recommended the beef tamales.

Tamale ladies

As one local Reddit user wisely said: “You don’t find the tamale lady, she finds you.� Last year, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill legalizing the street sales of home-cooked tamales. Many people swear by the illustrious tamale ladies who pop up in parking lots and in front of stores. Many of our Facebook readers spoke about getting tamales from people outside Food City, Home Depot or from a girlfriend’s co-worker’s cousin. If you’re lucky enough to find a tamale lady, treasure it, because more than likely you’re about to have some of the best tamales you’ve ever tasted.