The doors open at 8 a.m., and some folks are already waiting with tamales on their minds. That tells you plenty about this Texas counter.
The menu reads like a family reunion in corn husks. Pork, chicken, bean, and jalapeño with cheese all share space, and sweet tamales show up too.
I like how simple the whole idea is. You walk up, order by the dozen, and leave with a warm bundle wrapped in foil.
I believe tamales taste better when there’s a story behind the counter. This one involves corn ground the old-fashioned way. So how many dozen sounds reasonable for one household?
Tamales Come by the Dozen Here, and Nobody Questions It
Ordering one tamale would feel a little odd at Delicious Tamales. The whole system runs on dozens, and that makes planning a family dinner pretty easy.
The shop on Culebra Road in San Antonio is a take-out spot first. You come in, pick your flavors, and head home with a stack that feeds a crowd.
Hot tamales are ready to eat right away. Cold ones are also available, so you can stash some for later in the week.
I like that flexibility a lot. A hot dozen handles tonight, while a cold dozen quietly saves next Tuesday from becoming a cereal-for-dinner situation.
Mixing flavors is part of the fun. Grab a dozen pork and a dozen chicken, and suddenly everyone at the table has a favorite.
Big orders are normal here too. Holiday gatherings in Texas often depend on tamales, and this counter is built for that kind of demand.
So think about your crew before you go. Count the people, then add a dozen, because leftovers never seem to stick around long.
Pork Tamales Are the Classic Pick for Good Reason
Red chile pork is the flavor most people think of when they hear the word tamale. At Delicious Tamales, pork sits right at the heart of the lineup.
It’s the old-school choice. Corn masa wraps around seasoned pork, and the husk keeps everything together until you peel it open.
Pork tamales show up again and again when people talk about this place. That steady attention says a lot about how central they are to the menu.
A smart move is starting your order with a pork dozen. Then you can branch out to other flavors once you know your baseline.
Pair them with something simple at home. Rice, beans, or a spoonful of salsa works fine, and nobody needs a fancy plan.
Texas tamale traditions often lean on pork for holiday tables. Christmas Eve without a pork tamale feels a bit like a birthday without cake.
Here’s a tiny tip for first-timers. Peel the husk off before eating, because chewing corn husk is a mistake people only make once.
Chicken, Bean, and Cheesy Options Keep Every Eater Happy
Not everyone at the table wants pork, and that’s totally fine. Delicious Tamales offers chicken, bean, and jalapeño with cheese too.
Chicken tamales bring a milder flavor. They’re a handy pick for kids or anyone who likes things a little less rich.
Bean tamales offer a meatless filling, while the Southwest Vegetarian tamales are specifically made with vegetable oil for customers avoiding meat products. They prove that a tamale doesn’t need meat to feel filling and satisfying.
Then there’s jalapeño and cheese. Melty cheese plus a little pepper heat is a combo that tends to disappear fast at parties.
A cream cheese and jalapeño version has also been part of the lineup. It’s creamy, a bit spicy, and fun to slip into a mixed order.
My advice is to build a sampler for your group. One dozen of each lets everybody try something new without much risk.
Spice levels vary between flavors, so keep that in mind. If someone at home avoids heat, steer them toward chicken or bean first.
Save Room for the Sweet Tamales
Dessert in a corn husk? That’s exactly what sweet tamales are, and Delicious Tamales includes them alongside the savory favorites.
Sweet tamales are a long-standing treat in many Mexican households. They usually show up during holidays and family celebrations.
I can’t imagine a better way to end a tamale feast. After a pile of savory ones, something sweet feels like a natural final note.
They also make a fun surprise for guests. Plenty of people have never tried one, so you get to be the friend who introduces them.
Kids especially tend to get curious about them. A tamale that tastes like dessert breaks all the rules in the best possible way.
Try warming them gently before serving. A quick steam brings back the soft texture that makes tamales so comforting.
Add a dozen to your next holiday order and see who reaches first. My guess is the person who claimed they were too full for dessert.
Barbacoa and Chili Make Weekend Mornings Easy
San Antonio and barbacoa go together like Sunday and sleeping in. Delicious Tamales serves barbacoa too, and it pairs nicely with an 8 a.m. opening time.
Barbacoa is a weekend breakfast tradition across South Texas. Families grab it early, add tortillas, and build tacos at the kitchen table.
The shop also offers chili con carne without beans. That’s the Texas style, and plenty of folks feel strongly about keeping beans out of it.
Chili and tamales are a classic match. Spoon some over a few tamales and you’ve got a hearty plate with almost no effort.
Package deals have been available, combining barbacoa with tamales. They’re a handy option if you’re feeding a group on a busy morning.
Rice and beans also appear as sides. Those round out a meal when you want more than tamales alone.
Early birds have the advantage here. Get there near opening, and your family breakfast plan is settled before most people find their shoes.
Corn Still Gets Ground the Old-Fashioned Way
Lots of shops buy masa ready-made. Delicious Tamales has said it still grinds its own corn the old-fashioned way.
That detail matters more than it sounds. Masa is the base of every tamale, so how it’s made shapes the whole bite.
Grinding corn takes time, equipment, and effort. It’s the kind of tortilla-factory habit that has become less common as kitchens chase shortcuts.
The business has also pointed out that ingredient costs have climbed. Sticking with traditional methods in that climate shows real commitment.
I like knowing a place keeps doing things the long way. It connects a quick take-out stop to generations of tamale making in Texas.
Owners have also said tamales should be served hot and fresh daily. That’s a clear standard, and it tells you what they’re aiming for.
Next time you unwrap one, give the masa a little attention. It’s easy to focus on fillings, but the corn is doing the heavy lifting.
Holiday Season Turns This Counter Into a Lifeline
December in San Antonio means tamales on nearly every table. Delicious Tamales becomes a go-to stop when families need big orders fast.
Tamaladas, or tamale-making parties, are a cherished tradition. Still, not every family has the time to spread masa on hundreds of husks.
That’s where a shop like this steps in. Ordering by the dozen means a family party can be covered in one stop.
Very large orders are possible too. One holiday rescue involved fifteen dozen picked up at the last minute, which sounds like a true Christmas save.
Planning ahead is still wise during the rush. Call or stop by early in the season so your order is ready when you need it.
Check your bag before you drive away. With so many dozens moving around, a quick count keeps your whole order on the table.
Cold tamales are handy for holiday prep. Buy a few days early, keep them chilled, and steam them when relatives start arriving.
A Few Smart Tips Before You Pay
Cash talks at this counter. Delicious Tamales accepts card payments, but it’s worth checking the current payment policy before visiting.
That’s worth knowing before you show up. A quick ATM stop could stretch your tamale budget a little further.
Hours are generous for a take-out spot. The shop opens at 8 a.m. daily and closes at 6 p.m., except Sunday when it closes at 3 p.m.
Sunday shoppers should keep that earlier close in mind. Showing up at 4 p.m. with a craving is a sad way to end a weekend.
Opening your order at the counter is a simple habit. It lets you check flavors and counts while staff can still help.
Delivery apps also carry the menu. Picking up in person, though, usually gets tamales to your table hottest.
Bring a sturdy bag or box for larger orders. A dozen is easy to carry, but five dozen deserves a better plan than juggling.
Culebra Road Makes This Stop Easy to Reach
You’ll find Delicious Tamales at 1330 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201. It sits on a busy west side corridor that many locals drive every day.
Culebra Road is one of the city’s well-known routes. That makes this shop an easy errand on the way to work, church, or a family visit.
The business is a small chain with more than one San Antonio location. The Culebra store is one of its familiar addresses.
Being near downtown helps too. Visitors staying in the city can grab tamales without a long trek across town.
Planning a picnic or road trip? A cold dozen packs easily, and Texas highways feel shorter with snacks in the cooler.
Out-of-towners often bring tamales home as edible souvenirs. Freeze them well, and you can relive San Antonio long after your trip ends.
So add this stop to your next errand list. A short detour on Culebra could turn an ordinary evening into tamale night for the whole house.
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