Today, an article by the Los Angeles Times found “sagging tamale sales could hint at fewer Christmas gatherings as COVID surges.”
Around the holidays, tamales are a staple. For some, it’s a family tradition to cook all together at home. For restaurant owners, it’s a monetary guarantee.
As reported by Ruben Vives, Tamales Liliana’s typically sells 40,000 tamales just on Thanksgiving Day. This year, owner Juan Manuel Santoyo said he doesn’t think they’ve even reached 20,000. The sale decline is part of a larger trend of tamaleros not selling at the same level as in past years, possibly indicating fewer family gatherings.
While this is a good sign that Angelenos are adhering to pandemic safety protocol, the pattern is another example of how difficult it has been for small businesses to stay afloat. From Beverly Hills to Long Beach, a number of restaurants across Los Angeles County have closed.
“I spend a good amount of time making tamales to sell during the week of Christmas,” Santoyo told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s what we rely on to get us through the year.”
In the spirit of the season, one way to support your local community (and satisfy those taste buds) is to order tamales from a local restaurant. You can even order extra to store in the freezer for a guaranteed delicious meal in the future— and you won’t even have to cook. Make sure to call ahead and order directly from the restaurant to ensure all funds go directly to them! Also, some places have a cutoff date for the Christmas season, so put in an order as soon as possible. Check out our Los Angeles-based list below to find tamales closest to you.
- Tamales Lilianas’s (Boyle Heights)
- Amalia’s (Koreatown)
- Rosy’s Tamales (Pacoima)
- Tamaleria La Dona (Compton)
- Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales (Pacoima)
- VCHOS Truck (Los Angeles)
- Sabor Colombiano (Los Angeles)
- La 27th Restaurante Nicaraguense (Los Angeles)
- La Flor de Yucatan Bakery (Los Angeles)
- Gish Bac (Mid City)
- La Indiana Tamales (Los Angeles)
- Chichen Itza (Los Angeles)
- Sinaloa Express (South Gate)
- Guelaguetza (Koreatown)
- La Mascota Bakery (Boyle Heights)
- Mama’s Tamales & Pupusas (McArthur Park)
- Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales (Pacoima)
- Tamales Elena y Antojitos (Bell Gardens)
- Magaly’s Tamales & Mexican Grill (San Fernando)
- Tamales Alberto (Filipinotown)
- Maria’s Bakery (Los Angeles)
- Birrieria Apatzingan (Pacoima)
- Lenchita’s (Pacoima)
