It's officially tamale season! With the winter weather rolling in, Arizonans are looking for the best tamales to warm them up.
Which leaves us with the question: Where is the best place in the Valley to order tamales? Team 12 asked members of our Facebook community and this is what they said:
From small shops and farmers markets
The top comments on our Facebook post were flooded with praises for small tamale shops, stands and independent chefs selling at farmers markets.
The Tamale Store has a brick and mortar location in Cave Creek and Cactus roads that is open Monday - Saturday, but the store is also represented at farmers markets across the Valley including the Chandler, Gilbert, Old Town Scottsdale and Uptown markets.
Hurry! According to the Facebook page, the cut off date to order Tukee's Tamales is Sunday.
A vote was cast for Molly's Tamales in Glendale near Dunlap and 43rd avenues. The menu includes a lot of options from pork, chicken and green chile to salmon, cactus and veggie.
For those looking for tamales in north Phoenix, one 12 News viewer recommends Los Reyes Panderia located on 7th Street and Hatcher Road.
From restaurants
Maybe you don't need to order a big batch of tamales, but you'd like to order a few for dinner. Some 12 News viewers dropped these recommendations:
Both Sylvia's and El Bravo Mexican restaurants have a few locations in north and central Phoenix.
Someone recommended La Canasta in Phoenix. It's located near 7th Avenue and Grant Street.
Then, there's Carolina's Mexican Food located near 12th and Mohave streets in Phoenix. A second location is open at Cave Creek and Cactus roads.
Some restaurants also allow bulk orders of tamales. You can stop by for dinner for a tamale or two or order a dozen (or both) at Mother's Tamales in Mesa.
Same deal at Old El Paso Tamales near Brown Road and Horne. The restaurant's website says to call them ahead of time to place a bulk order.
And one unexpected place...
A couple of people claim Costco is the place to go for stocking up on tamales this holiday season.
And let's not forget the homemade
Lastly, if none of the above options are calling your name, these people apparently don't mind sharing!