Want tamales for Christmas in Sacramento? Find deadlines, where to order
Looking to impress your family this Christmas with a warm and filling meal?
The Sacramento Bee found seven standout tamale restaurants and vendors where you can order holiday meals for your holiday celebrations.
From juicy chicken to delicious cheese-and-jalapeño fillings, these tamale vendors are ready to make your holiday meals memorable.
Here’s what to know:
Sacramento food truck serves up tamales
Yolanda’s Tamales Factory — 6885 Luther Drive in Sacramento — is here to deliver thick and filling tamales for your holiday needs.
The food truck has four kinds of tamales — pork, chicken, cheese and veggie — with a vegan option upon request.
- Deadline to order: Wednesday, Dec. 17.
- Limit: Order six dozen or more.
- Cost: $38 for a dozen tamales
Restaurant has 17 tamale options to ‘lift your spirit’
Emma’s Tamales — 8101 Elder Creek Road, Unit P, in Sacramento — offers organic food that will “nourish your body, feed your soul and lift your spirit,” the restaurant said on its website.
The restaurant offers 17 kinds of tamales including classic red chili chicken tamales. There are four kinds of vegetarian tamales and nine kinds of vegan tamales available.
Order ahead and store your tamales in the freezer.
- Deadline to order: 10 days prior to pick-up day. Customers are encouraged to order pick up orders before Christmas Eve.
- Limit: No special orders for fewer than 20 dozen tamales.
- Cost: $57.60 for two dozen tamales
Market has been Sacramento staple for more than 50 years
La Esperanza — 5028 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento — has been preparing food since 1969.
The family-owned market and bakery offers pork, chicken, beef and cheese-and-jalapeño tamales.
- Deadline to order: Large Christmas orders must be placed in person by Friday, Dec. 12
- Limit: No limit for orders
- Cost: From $19.50 to $21.50 for a dozen tamales, plus tax
La Superior Mercado offers a ‘piece of home’ for Christmas
La Superior Mercado — 4604 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento — strives to “create spaces where customers could feel a connection to their roots and have a piece of home with them,” the supermarket said on its website.
The supermarket offers three kinds of tamales: chicken, beef and cheese and jalapeño.
- Deadline to order: Orders must be made in-person by Saturday, Dec. 20.
- Limit: Minimum of a dozen tamales for special orders
- Cost: $32.99 for a dozen tamales
El Mercadito Mexican Market ready to serve cozy meals
El Mercadito Mexican Market — 2868 Northgate Blvd. in Sacramento — provides home-cooked, cozy meals for the Sacramento area and beyond.
The Northgate market provides classic tamale flavors such as chicken and cheese and jalapeño. Custom fillings can be accommodated upon request.
- Deadline to order: Five days before pick up date. Customers are encouraged to order pick up orders before Christmas Day.
- Limit: No minimum or maximum limit
- Cost: $37.97 for a dozen tamales
Need last-minute tamales? Try this market
Toledo’s Mexican Market & Restaurante — 1341 Fulton Ave. in Sacramento — wants to help build your holiday meals.
The market offers chicken and pork tamales. Custom fillings can be accommodated upon request.
- Deadline to order: Can be ordered in-person the day before the holidays. Market is open Wednesday, Dec. 24.
- Limit: No limit
- Cost: $32 for a dozen tamales
Authentic flavors inspired by Mexican, Guatemalan traditions
Los Arcos Taqueria Y Panaderia — at 2782 Fruitridge Road in Sacramento — brings together Central American and Mexican flavors for comforting meals.
The bakery and restaurant makes Mexican and Guatemaltecos tamales with chicken and pork fillings.
- Deadline to order: Tamales can be ordered in-person one week before Christmas.
- Limit: No limit
- Cost: $30 for a dozen tamales
