Holiday tables in Missouri have a secret weapon, and it comes wrapped in a corn husk. Tamales are easy to share, easy to reheat, and hard to stop eating once the first one is unwrapped.
Ordering by the dozen saves a lot of kitchen time, which is a gift on its own during a busy December. These six shops, from Kansas City to Joplin, make tamales worth calling ahead for.
1. The Tamale Kitchen, Kansas City, MO
Some kitchens make tamales as a side item. The Tamale Kitchen makes them the whole point, with Mexican-inspired tamales described as handmade with purpose.
The shop is based on E Armour Blvd in Northeast Kansas City, and it keeps things flexible. You can pick up takeout, set up tamale delivery, or book catering for a larger holiday spread.
Weekend shoppers have another option. The kitchen also sells at City Market KC on weekends, which makes it easy to grab a bag while doing other market errands.
Prices land in the budget-friendly range, and a dozen makes a thoughtful gift for a neighbor or coworker. The folks behind the counter are known for being warm and welcoming.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, plus 8 AM to 3 PM on weekends. It is closed Mondays, and reservations are not taken, so plan to order ahead by phone when the holidays get busy.
2. Tortillería Perches | Mexican, Springfield, MO
Apple tamales. That one menu detail tells you Tortillería Perches is willing to have a little fun with tradition.
This family-run spot on W Sunshine St in Springfield is known for handmade tamales with soft masa and savory fillings. Pork and rajas versions are popular, and sweet apple tamales round out a holiday order nicely.
Mixing a dozen of one with a dozen of another is a smart way to please a crowd. The tamale plate, served with guacamole and spicy salsa, is a good way to sample before committing.
Homemade tortillas are part of the name and part of the appeal. Mole and other traditional dishes like caldo de res also fill out the menu.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11 AM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday until 9 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM. Tuesday evenings tend to be busiest, so midweek daytime pickups are easier.
3. Tortillera Lemus, Sedalia, MO
Set an alarm for this one. Homemade tamales at Tortillera Lemus show up on Saturday mornings, and early arrivals have the best shot.
The Sedalia shop on Thompson Blvd is a classic tortilleria first. Fresh tortillas are the everyday draw, along with raw chorizo that is easy to toss in the cooler for holiday breakfasts.
It is a quick, no-fuss stop with friendly staff. There is no delivery, so this is strictly a pickup kind of place.
Sedalia sits in the middle of the state, which makes it a handy pause on a central Missouri road trip. Grabbing tamales, tortillas, and chorizo in one visit covers a lot of a holiday menu.
Weekday hours are 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday runs 10 AM to 4 PM. Sundays are closed.
4. Fred & Red’s, Joplin, MO
Route 66 travelers know Joplin for plenty of things, and chili-smothered tamales belong near the top of the list.
Fred and Red’s is a retro diner on S Main St with a horseshoe counter and old school counter service. The menu leans on a short list of signatures: chili, spaghetti red, and homemade tamales.
Here the tamale often comes dressed up. The Jumbo Tamale Spread and cheeseburger-topped tamales are the kind of thing you will not find at a tortilleria, and Frito pie keeps the chili theme going.
I like this stop for a holiday order with a twist. Grab plain tamales to go, and maybe a container of chili to pour over them at home.
There is a drive-through, plus free parking. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 9 PM.
5. La Oaxaqueña, St. Louis, MO
Not every tamale comes in a corn husk. At La Oaxaqueña, flat Oaxacan-style tamales wrapped in plantain leaves sit right alongside the classics.
The south St. Louis County restaurant on Lemay Ferry Rd focuses on regional Oaxacan cooking. Chicken verde tamales, tlayudas, and enchiladas de mole are all part of the lineup.
The masa is fresh, and the spice level hits a comfortable middle. Ordering a mix of husk-wrapped and leaf-wrapped tamales makes a holiday table more interesting.
Adventurous eaters can also try chapulines, or grasshoppers, plus molotes and picaditas. A full vegetarian menu helps when the guest list has varied diets.
The restaurant offers catering and takes reservations. It is open daily from 11 AM, staying until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Los Alamos Cocina, Kansas City, MO
Breakfast at 6 AM and a bag of tamales on the way out is a pretty strong way to start a holiday errand day.
Los Alamos Cocina is a family-owned spot on Summit St in Kansas City’s historic Westside. Daily tamales share the spotlight with chilaquiles, menudo, barbacoa, and breakfast burritos.
Homemade salsas are easy to add to a tamale order. That combo turns a simple dozen into a ready-made meal.
Sunday mornings get busy, so weekday stops are calmer. No reservations and no delivery mean you will want to stop in or call ahead.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 6 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday 6 AM to 2 PM.
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