Tamale Emergency / myLot

United States

October 23, 2016 1:31am CST

A while back, my partner was waiting for me outside a Food City when a guy came up to the car and asked her if she wanted to buy some tamales. These folks will sell hand made tamales, hot and wrapped in foil, car to car in parking lots depending on what store you go to. She didn't have any money on her so she politely declined, then said we needed to keep ten dollars or so with us in case we had a Tamale Emergency. It became a tag-line. Today I was coming in to Dollar Tree and I saw another tamale vendor. He was sitting with a couple big coolers, talking to passerby. Charming old gentleman, actually. As I came out of the store, I was about to go to the car... then I turned around, walked up to him and asked his rates. We chatted a bit and I found he's been selling tamales in Tucson for over forty years. I came away with six expertly crafted, hot, mildly spicy tamales, which I just had as half the main course of dinner - three apiece. I didn't know tamales could be so good! These were mildly piquant but very flavorful, the meat very soft and well cooked, and the corn cooked to perfection. I'm buying more for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

5 people like this

6 responses

paigea

@paigea (36315)

• Canada

23 Oct 16

It is always worth it when you find the best vendor for a product you like. Your story reminds me of when my girls were young. I made sure they had money in their pocket for a hot chocolate emergency when we were skiing.

1 person likes this

Rohvannyn Shaw

@Rohvannyn (3098)

• United States

23 Oct 16

I like it!

2 people like this

Rohvannyn Shaw

@Rohvannyn (3098)

• United States

23 Oct 16

@paigea I'll bet. Ha ha, I remember Loonies from when I lived in Bellingham, not far from the Canadian border, but I don't remember Toonies. Are they just paper money like in the US?

paigea

@paigea (36315)

• Canada

23 Oct 16

@Rohvannyn I think it was a hot chocolate Toonie at the time. I am sure hot chocolate at a ski resort is more like $5 now!

1 person likes this

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61909)

• Centralia, Washington

23 Oct 16

I love tamales. One of my favorite Hispanic/Mexican delights. And a wah wah right now cause its off my list of edibles. A lady at Dad's work sold tamales to us several times a year. Yours sound super tasty.

1 person likes this

Rohvannyn Shaw

@Rohvannyn (3098)

• United States

23 Oct 16

I'll bet you could figure out a way to make vegetarian tamales.

1 person likes this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61909)

• Centralia, Washington

23 Oct 16

@Rohvannyn Sounds good.

1 person likes this

Marlina

@marlina (154130)

• Canada

28 Oct 16

I am surprised that there is no bylaws prohibiting this?

1 person likes this

Rohvannyn Shaw

@Rohvannyn (3098)

• United States

29 Oct 16

Well, he was probably breaking a law or two, but honestly, with as many laws as we have, I really don't give a flying frog flip. I wasn't about to ask him if he had a food handler's card. Or ask for his tax receipts. Or give his name out in a public forum where someone could turn him in, either...