In Arizona, December means one thing in a lot of kitchens: tamales, and plenty of them. Some families spend whole weekends spreading masa, while others quietly call in a big order and pick up a few dozen to share.
Either way, knowing where to buy good tamales before the holiday rush can save you a lot of stress. Here are seven spots across the state, from Phoenix to Flagstaff to Tucson, where people stock up by the dozen every season.
1. The Tamale Store, Phoenix, AZ
Some shops add tamales to the menu. The Tamale Store builds the whole business around them, and it shows in the variety.
This compact, family-owned spot on N Cave Creek Rd sells handmade tamales both fresh and frozen. That frozen option is a big deal in December, since you can grab a few dozen now and steam them later.
Fillings cover a lot of ground, including pork, chicken, and a green chile and cream cheese combo that wins over people who never cared much for tamales. There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices too, so mixed holiday tables are easy to feed.
The tamales run on the large side, which helps explain why regulars buy by the dozen. Sides like refried pinto beans, chips, and a Tamale Con Chilaquiles plate round things out, and there is a small market area for take-home items.
Hours are Monday through Saturday 10:30 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 10:30 AM to 4 PM. Saturday afternoons get the busiest, so a weekday pickup is the smarter move.
2. Puebla Sunrise Café, Flagstaff, AZ
Up in Flagstaff, where holiday weather can mean snow, a warm tamale makes a lot of sense. Puebla Sunrise Café is a breakfast and lunch spot that has quietly become a go-to for seasonal tamale orders.
Everything here is made by hand, and tamales are often in the works right in the kitchen during service. The café is known for authentic mole, chilaquiles, and café de olla, a spiced Mexican coffee.
Plenty of diners finish a meal and leave with a dozen tamales to go. During the holiday season, that habit turns into a full-on tradition for folks around town.
The café sits at 2 S Beaver St in downtown Flagstaff and is open daily from 7 AM to 3 PM. Weekend mornings fill up fast, so weekdays are calmer for a pickup.
Dogs are welcome inside and out, and the café accepts reservations, which is handy for a group breakfast before a day in the pines.
3. Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant, Tucson, AZ
Christmas Eve in Tucson can be a tough day to find tamales. Del Cielo Tamal has been one of the few places open that day, and the line of orders proves people remember it.
This woman-owned restaurant on N Campbell Ave puts tamales front and center, with a twist. Its menu leans heavily into vegan options, including a Vegan Red Chile Tamal, plus tamales wrapped in banana leaves for a different texture.
Beyond tamales, there are vegan tacos dorados, a Vegan Machaca Plate, sopes, chiles rellenos, and a carne asada burrito for the meat crowd.
Hours shift during the week. It runs 8 AM to 3 PM Monday through Wednesday, 8 AM to 8 PM Thursday through Saturday, and 8 AM to 4 PM Sunday.
Catering is available, which makes it a good call for anyone hosting a crowd with mixed diets this season.
4. Los Dos Molinos, Mesa, AZ
Spice fans already know the name. Los Dos Molinos serves New Mexican food with real heat, and its tamales follow that same bold path.
The Mesa location on S Alma School Rd is family-run and decorated in a festive, colorful style. Green chile and corn tamales and adobada tamales are standouts, and loyal customers order them two dozen at a time for takeout.
The salsa and fresh tortillas have their own following. Other favorites include stuffed sopapillas, garlic pork roast, queso fundido, and tableside guacamole.
Plan around the schedule, since it is open only Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Saturday evenings are the busiest, while weekday afternoons are much easier.
If you are tamale shopping for someone who likes things fiery, this is the East Valley stop to make.
5. Mama Olga’s Tamales and Fine Mexican Food, Phoenix, AZ
Mango and habanero inside a tamale might surprise a few relatives. That flavor sits right alongside the classics at Mama Olga’s, a small, no-frills shop on W Hatcher Rd.
The handmade lineup includes beef, pork, chicken, green chile, and sweet corn, all wrapped in corn masa with simmered chiles and garlic. Fillings are generous, which matters when you are feeding a full house.
Party hosts tend to order many dozens ahead of time. Delivery is available across Phoenix and surrounding areas, a real perk when your holiday to-do list is already long.
Mama Olga’s is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed Sunday. Reservations are not taken, so call ahead for big orders.
Tacos are on the menu too, but the tamales are clearly the reason this place has stuck around.
6. Loreto’s Mexican Food, Guadalupe, AZ
Guadalupe is a small town with deep Yaqui roots, wedged between Tempe and Phoenix. Loreto’s Mexican Food fits right in as a low-key, everyday spot with a strong holiday tamale reputation.
You can eat in, take out, or use the drive-through, which is a lifesaver during a busy December. Portions are large and service moves quickly.
Tamales get the spotlight during the holidays, but the regular menu is worth knowing too. Menudo, rolled tacos, carne asada burritos, and carne asada fries are all here, plus a solid hot sauce selection.
Loreto’s keeps long hours, opening at 8 AM daily and staying open until 10 PM on Fridays. That makes a late tamale run after work easy.
7. La Fama Mexican Bakery, Glendale, AZ
Planning to make tamales yourself this year? La Fama Mexican Bakery is where many West Valley cooks pick up their masa, and some have been doing it for decades.
For everyone else, the bakery sells homemade tamales ready to go. A dozen pork tamales has gone for about $25, though prices may vary, which is a friendly number for a big family order.
The counter also carries fresh flour tortillas, sweet bread, chorizo, cookies, and huge chicharrones. Green chile burritos and menudo are popular too.
La Fama sits at 5328 W Glendale Ave. It opens at 7 AM on weekdays, 6 AM on Saturday, and runs 7 AM to 2 PM on Sunday.
Weekend mornings are busy, so a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon visit is easier in December.
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