MEXICAN TRADITION. BOLDLY REMADE.
SMALL BATCH tamales. BIG FLAVOR. ALWAYS BLUE.
The Forbidden Tamal. Blue corn masa. Hand-stuffed. Small batch. Always fresh.
Tamal started with a simple idea: the tamal deserves the spotlight. So we built the whole menu around it, oversized tamales made from nutty, antioxidant-rich blue corn masa, filled with everything from slow-cooked meats to cheese and jalapeño to blueberry for dessert.
Chef Cecilia runs the kitchen. Every batch is hand-rolled, steamed, and served at its peak, never rushed, never mass-produced. The blue corn street tacos, the watermelon agua fresca pressed from real watermelon and lime, the red and green sauces people keep asking us to bottle — none of it is shortcut food.
Find us on the Square in downtown Huntsville. Open patio, dog-friendly, good music, open 9–5 Monday through Saturday.
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What is a Tamal? 🫔
A tamal (plural: tamales) is an ancient Mesoamerican dish made from masa (corn dough) and filled with savory or sweet ingredients. Tamales are traditionally wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and steamed until tender. The result is a portable, flavorful dish that has been enjoyed for thousands of years.
Dating back to the Aztec, Maya, and Olmec civilizations, tamales were an essential part of ceremonies, festivals, and daily meals. Over time, tamales have taken on countless regional variations, featuring everything from spicy meats to sweet fruits.
At Tamal, we stay true to tradition with big, bold tamales made from blue masa, filled with delicious ingredients, and always made fresh.
Quick Note: “Tamal” is the correct singular form in Spanish, while “tamales” is plural. “Tamale” is a popular variation in English, but here at Tamal, we embrace the original!
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Why blue masa? 🌽💙
At Tamal, we proudly use blue corn masa for our tamales & tacos. But what makes blue masa so special compared to regular corn masa?
Richer Flavor: Blue corn masa has a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates every bite.
Nutritional Benefits: Packed with antioxidants and higher levels of protein, blue corn is a powerhouse ingredient.
Tradition with a Twist: While both types of masa have deep roots in Mexican culinary tradition, blue masa’s unique color and texture make it feel extra special—almost forbidden!
A Feast for the Eyes: The striking blue hue isn’t just for show—it’s a celebration of vibrant food culture.
Discover the unique flavor and vibrant tradition that blue masa brings to every bite at Tamal!
What People Are Saying ABOUT TAMAL..
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“Fantastic experience! The food's flavor profile is awesome. I highly recommend the Tamal Kingpin—it absolutely blew our expectations out of the water. We appreciated that the venue was not too crowded, and the service provided by the staff was truly outstandin, we even got some watermelon aguas frescas drink samples.. We can't wait to come back again!”
— Carlos GP (Local Guide)
“I've never had tamales or any kind of Mexican food like this before. Even the refried beans, rice, and salsa verde tasted different (in a good way!). The cashier gave me a sample of the watermelon agua fresca and it was really good. I might get that last time. Don't sleep on the cheese & jalapeno tamal!”
— Andie H.
“Came here for my birthday lunch! Got the street taco trio, 3 tamales and a blueberry desert tamale, everything was absolutely delicious and the portions were great! The woman who took our order was super sweet and helpful, she gave my friends and I a sample of the watermelon fresca and it was refreshing. My friend was able to bring her dog and the atmosphere was adorable. 100% recommend for a chill lunch vibe!”
— Brieanna F.
“First of all, these are the best Tamales I’ve had since my grandma stopped cooking. These are so well seasoned and the sauces compliment the food so well. The give you a nice punch of heat with a dazzle of flavor to enhance the tamales. The outdoor seating area is nice with really good music. Service was very pleasant and quick. Overall I recommend this place 100% especially if they keep making good food.”
— EGULIENCEY
“Hands down the best tamales I’ve ever had!! The green and red sauce they give you with them is awesome too!! Will definitely be going back soon!!”
— Christopher E.
“What a gift it is to be located so close to Tamal!! The food, FANTASTIC. The service, EXCEPTIONAL. 100/10 for sure!! Maria and her team hooked it up!! We had a big order with no notice, and they made it happen!! We have some foodies in a group and they loved Tamal’s!! We couldn’t get enough!! Definitely going here regularly now!! Thank you Maria and team!! We loved every single bite!!”
— Liz S.
“If you like tamales with variety, this is the place to go. They operate out of a food trailer but it is a beautiful setup with a covered patio lighting and much much more. You will not be disappointed. I have already eaten here 2 days in a row and probably going back for thirds.”
— Rob H. (Local Guide)
“What a great find in downtown Huntsville, TX. A wonderful outdoor patio setting for some of the best Food Truck food ever! Authentic. Fresh. Artisanal. Friendly. Expert Service.”
— Ron C. (Local Guide)
“We LOVE your food! It is truly a gem of Huntsville!”
— Dallas
“The food was great along with the service and made me feel at home back in El Paso, where real Mexican food tasted great! People are also nice and checked on us and asked if we enjoyed the food.”
— Calvin S.
“Awesome, authentic”
— Pete D.