In Arizona, December means one thing for a lot of families: tamales, and lots of them. Kitchens across the state fill up with masa and corn husks, but plenty of people skip the long assembly line and head straight to their favorite shop instead.
The five spots below are the ones where holiday orders stack up by the dozen, from Phoenix counters to Tucson favorites. Save this list now, because the best time to plan your tamale order is before everyone else does.
1. The Tamale Store, Phoenix, AZ
Some families mail fruitcake to out-of-town relatives. Plenty of Phoenix households ship tamales from The Tamale Store instead, ordering by the dozen to cover an entire holiday gift list.
The compact, family-owned shop on N Cave Creek Rd sells handmade tamales both fresh and frozen. That frozen option is the secret weapon for December, since a couple dozen in the freezer turns Christmas dinner into an easy job.
Flavors run from pork and chicken to a cream cheese version, and the masa is known for being fluffy and moist. If you want to eat on site, the Tamale Con Chilaquiles is a fun menu pick, and chorizo potatoes make a solid side.
Wash it all down with a Rica Horchata or a Mexican Coke. Vegetarian and vegan eaters have options too.
Hours run 10:30 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and until 4 PM Sunday. Saturday afternoons get busiest, so plan pickups early.
2. Old El Paso Tamales, Mesa, AZ
Generations-old recipes are the backbone of this colorful Mesa counter, and you can taste the family history in every husk.
Old El Paso Tamales sits at 730 E Brown Rd, Unit 109, in a simple, cheerful space that stays clean and welcoming. The menu covers chicken, beef, pork, and sweet corn tamales, with the chicken often singled out as the most flavorful of the bunch.
Holiday shoppers should know prices shift with the season. A dozen has run about $44 around the holidays, which is still a bargain compared to a full weekend of homemade rolling.
I like this stop for anyone who usually makes tamales at home but needs a break this year. The quality holds up to family standards.
Timing matters here. The shop is closed Mondays, open 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Friday, and 8 AM to 3 PM on weekends, with Sunday mornings drawing the biggest crowds.
3. St. Mary’s Mexican Food, Tucson, AZ
Here is a practical tip before anything else: if you want two dozen or more tamales from St. Mary’s, call ahead.
Tucson families have been buying tamales at this unassuming west side counter for years, and the holiday rush proves it. Green chile and green corn tamales are the big draws, with red versions also in the mix.
Prices have historically been friendly. A dozen green chile tamales sold for around $15 in December 2022, which explains why people buy three dozen at a time.
The shop serves traditional Sonoran classics in a cozy, historic setting at 1030 W St Marys Rd. Beyond tamales, the red chili burro, chilaquiles, and chorizo bean potato and egg burrito keep breakfast regulars coming back.
The red salsa brings real heat, so grab some for your holiday spread. Hours are 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed and Saturday mornings busiest.
4. Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant, Tucson, AZ
Vegan guests at your holiday table usually get stuck with the salad. Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant changes that math completely.
This woman-owned spot at 3073 N Campbell Ave offers a full vegan and vegetarian menu alongside its signature tamales. Some come wrapped in banana leaves, a style that sets them apart from the corn husk crowd, and three dozen vegan tamales can easily feed a whole gathering.
Christmas Eve gets hectic here, since the kitchen stays open when many Tucson tamale shops close. Ordering ahead is a smart move.
Not hosting? Sit down for table service and try the vegan tacos dorados, chiles rellenos, or the Navolato Plate.
There is outdoor seating and a kids’ menu as well.
Hours vary by day: 8 AM to 3 PM Monday through Wednesday, 8 AM to 8 PM Thursday through Saturday, and 8 AM to 4 PM Sunday. Reservations are accepted.
5. Mama Olga’s Tamales and Fine Mexican Food, Phoenix, AZ
Mango and habanero inside a tamale might raise eyebrows at a traditional family dinner. At Mama Olga’s, it sits right beside the classics.
The tiny restaurant at 905 W Hatcher Rd turns out handmade tamales with beef, pork, chicken, green chile, and that sweet and spicy mango habanero option. Fillings feature simmered chiles, marbled meats, and garlic wrapped in corn masa, and sweet corn tamales round out the lineup.
A dozen red chili tamales has run about $30, a fair price for a holiday platter. Delivery reaches Phoenix and surrounding areas, which helps when the guest list keeps growing.
Tacos and other traditional plates fill out the menu if you stop in to eat. Outdoor seating is available.
Keep the schedule in mind: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. Thursday and Friday afternoons plus Saturday mornings get packed, so Monday is the calmest pickup day.
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