The Annual Fiesta de Tamales, held at the rear of Hillsboro’s sM&M Marketplace, filled the air with both sweet and savory scents as food vendors displayed their distinctive tamales, ranging from fiery meat-packed ones to sweet pineapple and elote (corn) selections. A team of judges assessed entries based on flavor as dozens of spectators tried samples and voted for their favorites by dropping beans into jars. Jaime Miranda started the event seven years ago to honor local food, and it has since expanded into a significant fundraiser for the Hillsboro Schools Foundation, with this year’s tamal sales bringing in over $8,000 for the organization.
The thriving tamal culture in Hillsboro is a testament to Washington County’s diverse cultural background. You can obtain tasty and fresh tamales somewhere besides Hillsboro.
According to Miranda, there is an increasing demand for tamales. They’re being embraced. In the region, I see a lot more food trucks and eateries serving tamales.
The Tualatin Valley Highway (formerly known as Oregon 8) passes directly through some of the most diversified areas in the Portland metropolitan area from Beaverton to Cornelius. Finding some of our favorite tamales, we rode down this path.
These are just a few examples of the delicious tamales you may enjoy both on and off the same route.
READ MORE: THE REASONS TAMALES ARE A COMMON CHRISTMAS FOOD IN LATINO HOMES
Taqueria La Chabelita
A huge menu printed with everything you would need to sate your thirst for real Mexican food can be found in the back of this tiny market. We chose the masa and sweet corn-filled elote tamal, which was delivered with queso and crema on the side. We advise you to wear these necessary accessories.
La Chabelita Taqueria: 13375 S.W. Henry St., Beaverton; 8 a.m.–9 p.m. everyday; lachabelita.com
An elote tamal was served with crema and queso on the side at La Chabelita Taqueria.Profenna Chiara
Camila’s Mexican Cuisine
Across from the Manila Market parking lot in Aloha is a modest black food truck decked out in bright colorful flowers. The location of yet another noteworthy tamal highway halt. Camila s Mexican Food offers a variety of traditional tamales from their mobile kitchen, including pollo con salsa verde (chicken with green salsa) and rajas con queso (peppers with cheese). They also served a nice pineapple tamale while we were there. When placing your order, it’s a good idea to inquire about the available flavors as some are subject to change.
Camila s Mexican Food: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily; 3645 S.W. Elliott Place, Beaverton;@camilas.mexicanfoodon Instagram.
At Camila’s Mexican Food, we tried the pollo con salsa verse, rajas con queso and dulce pi a tamales.Profenna Chiara
Delicias Pupuseria
Serving up tamales with flavors from El Salvador, Delicias Pupuseria offers a unique take on the classics, including one variety we didn t find at any other locations: tamales chipil n. These traditional Salvadoran tamales are filled with beans and wrapped in masa infused with chipil n, a leafy green vegetable native to Mexico and Central America. The combination delivers a distinctive taste similar to spinach. The menu also features chicken and elote tamales.
Delicias Pupuseria: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 3460 S.W. 185th Ave., Suite A, Aloha,Delicias Pupuseriaon Facebook.
Delicias Pupuseria serves traditional Salvadoran tamales. We tried the chipil n and elote tamales.Profenna Chiara
Tamal Express
Less than a mile west of Delicias Pupuseria, Tamal Express is a local favorite for fresh tamales. Situated within theAloha Food Cartspod, this family-owned food truck specializes in a variety of tamales, including tamales verde con pollo (chicken with green salsa), rojo con puerco (pork with red salsa), queso con jalape o (cheese with jalape os) and pi a de dulce (sweet pineapple). For a standout treat, try the sweet pineapple tamal filled with coconut and raisins and wrapped in bright pink masa, naturally colored with crushed strawberries.
Tamal Express: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; 20001 S.W. Tualatin Valley Hwy., Aloha;@tamalexpressllcon Instagram.
Tamal Express is a popular spot in Aloha. We tried tamales verde con pollo and pi a de dulce.Profenna Chiara
Yesenia s Market
Heading past Aloha and into Hillsboro, you ll find this bakery and meat market is a go-to destination for tamales. They offer freshly made tamales in a variety of flavors, including pork with red salsa, chicken with green salsa, cheese and peppers and tamales de elote. Customers can visit the store to place bulk orders or explore the back for pre-portioned bags of tamales ready to take home.
Yesenia s Market: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; 1075 S.E. Baseline St., Hillsboro.
Read more:5 Mexican restaurants in downtown Hillsboro worth the drive (or a trip on the MAX Blue Line)
M&M Marketplace
Of course, we couldn t forget the home of the Annual Fiesta de Tamales. M&M Marketplace in Hillsboro is a hub for Latino entrepreneurs. Inside its doors, you can find stalls selling everything from fresh tacos and fruit cups to leather goods. This year s competition showcased nine makers tamales ranging in flavor and style. You can find just about any filling at the market, including this year s tamal champion: Salvadoran pork tamales. Voted first place in people s choice and judge s choice, these tamales made by Pupuseria Gladis were the clear winner.
M&M Marketplace: 2-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 346 S.W. Walnut St., Hillsboro;mandmmarketplace.com
At M&M Marketplace, the Annual Fiesta de Tamales offered attendees a taste of nine different makers’ tamales.Chiara Profenna
Pollos Aguilar
This food truck, specializing in charbroiled chicken, adds tamales to its menu during colder seasons. Options include chicken tamales with red or green salsa, as well as a vegetarian version with cheese and jalape os.
Pollos Aguilar: 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; 3146 E. Baseline St., Cornelius;grilledchickencornelius.com
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Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327;[email protected]@chiara-profennaon BlueSky.
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