A Time for Tamales

Alice Tapp says she remembers learning to make tamales with her grandmother at age 7. “The smell was beautiful,” says Tapp, who owns Tamara’s Tamales with her daughter Tamara. “They were just incredibly delicious.”

Tamales have been a holiday tradition for generations. They are usually made on special occasions, with several family members and friends pitching in. But it’s much simpler to order them. They are a perfect gift at the dinner table: the corn husk makes a nice wrapped package and kitchen string acts as the ribbon. Many places are closed on Christmas, so be sure to order in advance.

Border Grill: Turkey mole tamales with cranberry salsa, $4 each or $45 per dozen; green corn tamales with salsa fresca and sour cream, $1.75 each or $20 per dozen. Minimum order of six tamales. Call 48 hours ahead. Monday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. 1445 4th St., Santa Monica. (310) 451-1655.

El Cholo: Turkey breast with mole and chutney tamales, as well as green corn, pork and duck tamales. $3 each. Tamales can be ordered by phone and shipped. Call 48 hours in advance. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. Special mail-order line for holiday and pork tamales only, (800) 789-2172. 1121 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 734-2773, and 1025 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 899-1106.

Juanito’s: Red chile pork, chicken, red chile beef, green chile with cheese, and sweet tamales with pineapple, raisins and coconut. Savory tamales, $1.25 each; sweet tamales, $1.05. Call 24 hours in advance. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 4214 E. Floral Drive, Los Angeles. (213) 268-2365.

La Conquistadora: Beef, pork, chicken, cheese and sweet tamales with pineapple. $1 each or $11.50 per dozen. Call 24 hours ahead. Seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Christmas Day, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 5401 N. Huntington Drive, Los Angeles. (213) 342-0202.

La Indiana: Red chile with beef or pork, green chile and cheese, and sweet tamales with pineapple and raisin. $1 each or $10 per dozen. Place orders by Dec. 22. Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1142 S. Indiana St., East Los Angeles. (213) 262-4682.

Lula Cocina Mexicana: Vegetable tamale with zucchini, squash, sweet green corn stuffed and tomatillo sauce, $3 each or $25 per dozen; Ricardo’s chicken tamale with chicken and red chile sauce, $3 each or $25 per dozen; tamales Oaxaquen~os with chicken and mole negro sauce, wrapped in banana leaf, $3 each or $30 dozen. Sampler tamale baskets, $25 and $36. Call 48 hours ahead. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. 2720 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 392-5711.

Tamara’s Tamales: Red pork chile, $2.25 each or $25 per dozen; fresh green corn, $3 or $33 per dozen, veggie special, $3 or $33 per dozen, jalapeno cheese, $3 or $33 per dozen; tomatillo chicken, appetizer size, $1 or $12 per dozen; traditional sweet, $2.25 each or $25 dozen; machaca beef, $3 each or $33 per dozen; turkey mole, $2.50 each or $28 per dozen. Call 48 hours in advance. Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. Marina Plaza, 13352 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 305-7714.