In a lot of Tennessee homes, the holidays do not officially start until someone shows up with a bag full of tamales. Some families order them by the dozen for Christmas Eve, while others grab a few packs to keep the kitchen stocked through New Year’s.
The tradition runs in more than one direction here, too. Nashville and Murfreesboro have Mexican bakeries and taquerias turning out red and green chicken tamales, while Memphis keeps the Delta-style hot tamale alive in small neighborhood shops.
Knoxville and Chattanooga add their own twists with creative fillings and vegan options. This list covers seven spots across the state where ordering tamales is part of the seasonal routine.
Each one brings something a little different, from a Christmas tamale special to bundles priced by the piece. Save it now, because these shops can get busy once December rolls around and the big family orders start coming in.
1. 7 Luminarias, Nashville, TN
Pan dulce and tamales under one roof makes holiday shopping a lot easier. That is the appeal of this Mexican bakery on Nolensville Pike, where tamales are made daily alongside the sweets.
The bakery case is stocked with conchas, fresh bolillos, creamy flan, and tres leches cake. It is the kind of place where you can plan a Christmas Eve dinner and dessert in one stop.
Families order tamales in mixed batches here. Red chicken, green chicken, and pork are the varieties to know, and getting a few of each keeps everyone at the table happy.
Hours run from 7 AM to 8:30 PM every day, which is handy during a hectic holiday week. Monday and Wednesday mornings tend to be the busiest, so an afternoon visit may be smoother.
Service is takeout or onsite only, with no delivery. Call ahead at 615-256-5066 if you are planning a big order.
2. Mexico Tipico, Murfreesboro, TN
Opening at 6 AM daily gives this Murfreesboro restaurant a real edge when you need to pick up tamales before a family gathering. It stays open until 11 PM, so early birds and late planners both get covered.
Tamales are sold by the dozen, and they make a popular year-end order. A dozen paired with a side of rice and beans has run around 40 dollars, which feeds a crowd without much fuss.
These lean masa-forward, so fans of a soft, hearty masa will feel right at home. The menu also lists vegetarian tamales.
Beyond tamales, the kitchen is known for barbacoa, birria tacos, sopes, tacos al carbon, and breakfast burritos. There is a small salsa bar for extra kick.
Practical perks stack up here. A drive-through, delivery, catering, kids’ menu, and a free parking lot make it simple to grab a holiday order on the way across town.
3. Pop’s Tamales, Memphis, TN
Memphis has its own tamale story, and it comes straight from the Mississippi Delta. Hot tamales here are smaller, spicier, and often wrapped in paper instead of husks, and they are a long-standing West Tennessee tradition.
Pop’s Tamales on Park Avenue keeps things focused. It is a takeout-only shop serving seasoned tamales in mild and hot versions, and that is the whole point.
Pricing is simple, with tamales sold at about 2 dollars each. A dozen lands around 24 dollars, which makes it easy to scale up for a holiday spread.
The flavor leans on seasoning rather than heavy sauce, so the tamale itself stays front and center. Grab a mix of mild and hot if your family has different spice limits.
Plan around the schedule. Pop’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and closed Sunday and Monday, with no dine-in and no restroom on site, but free parking makes the pickup quick.
4. Mas Tacos Por Favor, Nashville, TN
A tamale with Christmas in its name is hard to ignore. Mas Tacos Por Favor in East Nashville has run a Christmas tamale as its Wednesday special, and it fits this list perfectly.
The tamales are hand-rolled and steamed, with fillings like chicken and vegetables. They share the menu with fan favorites such as fried avocado tacos, pulled pork tacos, fish tacos, elote, sweet plantains, and tortilla soup.
The space is snug and no-frills, with counter service and outdoor seating. There is also a steady supply of Mexican Coke and Topo Chico.
Expect a line, especially on weekday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Reservations are not accepted, and parking on McFerrin Avenue can be tight.
Hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM. It is closed Mondays, so plan your tamale run accordingly.
5. Hattie’s Tamale, Memphis, TN
Some places sell tamales, and some places are part of the neighborhood. Hattie’s Tamale on Willie Mitchell Boulevard falls into the second group, serving as a community convenience store and eatery that has been a local staple for decades.
The specialty is Southern-style hot tamales in both mild and hot. They have sold for around 2 dollars apiece, so bundles of 10 or 15 are an easy, affordable way to feed a family gathering.
Plenty of folks grew up on these, which gives a holiday order here a nostalgic quality. The texture is smooth and the seasoning is the star.
Hattie’s opens daily from 10:30 AM to 5 PM. Afternoons from Wednesday through Saturday get busiest, so a morning stop helps if you are in a hurry.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available, plus free parking. Go earlier in the day during the holidays, since this is a popular stop.
6. Good Golly Tamale, Knoxville, TN
Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free tamales on the same menu as meat-filled ones solve a common holiday headache. Good Golly Tamale in Knoxville makes it easy to feed a table with very different diets.
The shop sits on South Central Street near the Old City and offers a range of veggie and meat tamales built with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The flavors run creative, and the tamales are big.
Sides like collard greens round out the plate with a Southern touch. That mix of tradition and East Tennessee personality is what sets this stop apart.
Catering is available, which is useful for office parties or larger family meals. Takeout works well too.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM, closed Sunday. Parking downtown can take some patience, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
7. Our Lady Tamales, Chattanooga, TN
Six-packs are the move at this Chattanooga takeout spot. A pack of six tamales is a comfortable meal for two adults, and stacking a few packs works nicely for a holiday table.
Our Lady Tamales focuses on fresh steamed tamales in flavors that range from traditional to fusion. Vegan and vegetarian options are on the menu as well.
The extras make it more than a tamale counter. Sides, weekly sandwich and salad specials, elevated take-home dinners, and sweet treats give you options when the holiday menu needs filling out.
Catering is offered, and the to-go setup is built for grabbing a meal now and saving it for later. There is no dine-in, so plan to eat at home.
Find it at 739 Ashland Terrace. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 4 PM, closed Sunday and Monday.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.