Tamales, Holidays, and Family Joy in Dallas
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Dallas — from the Dallas Arboretum’s Twelve Days of Christmas decorations to the dazzling lights that adorn downtown and the Neiman Marcus windows.
For many Hispanic families, the holiday season is also the prelude to a beloved tradition: making tamales. The multi‑generational process involves many hands, making it a natural family affair.
Whether you lack a family recipe or simply don’t have enough helpers to produce hundreds of tamales, Dallas still offers plenty of options to enjoy this holiday staple.
Ready‑to‑eat tamales are available at grocery chains such as Fiesta, Whole Foods, and Central Market, where they’re vacuum‑packed by the dozen.
For a homemade taste, head to La Popular Tamale House on Peak and Elm. The restaurant is a Dallas favorite and offers a dozen for dinner or larger holiday orders, paired with sides like rice and beans. Dallas Tortilla Factory and Luna’s Tortillas also accept large and small holiday orders.
El Mero Mero Tamalero at the Farmers Market and Lopez Foods Tortillas are two more Dallas spots where you can find great tamales, along with Lopez’s traditional champurrado — a hot, thick, sweet chocolate drink that warms the December night.
In addition to tamales, Dallas audiences can enjoy the Latino Cultural Center’s annual performance of “Nuestra Pastorela” by the Cara Mia Theater Company, a zany retelling of the classic shepherd’s Christmas story that features angels, shepherds, and mischievous devils.
Celebrate a Feliz Navidad in Dallas with laughter, family, and tamales!
