What Are Tamales?
Tamales are one of Mexico's most beloved comfort foods. They consist of a tender masa (corn dough) wrapped around a savory filling, all enclosed in a corn husk and steamed. When you unwrap that husk, you're greeted with a warm, pillowy texture and rich flavors.
The masa is made from corn that's been treated with lime in a traditional process called nixtamalization, which gives it that distinctive flavor and nutrition that makes authentic Mexican corn taste so special. We fill ours with seasoned meats, keeping the preparation traditional.
A Tradition Thousands of Years Old
We could say that tamales are history wrapped in a corn husk. This dish dates back thousands of years to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Aztecs and Mayans. Warriors carried tamales on long journeys because they were portable, filling, and delicious.
Families gathered to make them together during celebrations, a tradition that continues today during holidays like Christmas and Día de los Muertos.
Perfect Pairings from Our Menu
We love seeing how our guests pair tamales with other items from our menu. Some of our recommendations are the following:
The Traditional Combo: Try our Special Dinner if you want the full Mexican feast experience. You'll get one beef taco, one enchilada, one tamale, one taco, one chalupa, and one chile relleno, served with guacamole salad, rice, and beans. It's the perfect way to sample the breadth of authentic Mexican cooking.
Start with Our Dips: Before your tamales arrive, warm up with our cheese dip or go bold with our chori queso (melted cheese with chorizo). The creamy, rich flavors set the stage beautifully for the corn-based goodness of tamales.
Rice and Beans: Sometimes the classics are classic for a reason. Order your tamales with our traditional Mexican rice and refried beans on the side. The earthiness of the beans and the fluffy rice complement the masa perfectly.
Build Your Own: Feeling creative? Use our Build Your Own Combo to pair a tamal with your choice of enchilada, taco, quesadilla, or burrito, plus your selection of sides. Mix and match to discover your perfect combination.
Cool Down with Drinks: Our tamales have a hearty, warming quality that pairs wonderfully with our refreshing Fruity Drinks.
Tamales at Juanito's: A Taste of Mexican Tradition
We invite you to stop by and taste the difference that authentic preparation and family tradition make. Our tamales are made following recipes and techniques that honor the generations of cooks who perfected this art form.
Order three tamales à la carte, include one in your combination dinner, or build your own perfect meal. However you enjoy them, you're experiencing a piece of a millenary culinary tradition!
So, ready to try our authentic tamales? Order online or visit us at 1510 Lafayette Pkwy, La Grange. We've been serving our community for more than 25 years, and we can't wait to welcome you to Juanito's family.
