Best Tamale in SF tasting

Well, this sounds pretty delicious:

1st Annual Best Tamale Contest

Help us find the best tamale in the Mission, and help Marshall Elementary School at the same time!

Marshall Elementary School is hosting the first annual Día de los Niños Tamale Contest. For $20, you get to sample the full variety of tamales offered by our Mission-based tamale chefs – the parents of Marshall Elementary School students and our Mission neighbors – all while enjoying the live entertainment and festivities.

The chef judged as creating the best tamale receives $500. The rest of the money will help the Marshall Elementary PTA fund areas that are not covered in the school budget, to include (but not limited to) technology for the classrooms, science-based field trips in support of the school’s innovative Oceans Month program, and funding for organized team games and peer leadership during outdoor play.

The tamale tasting takes place from noon to 2pm on Saturday, April 27th at Marshall Elementary – 1575 15th Street, San Francisco (enter on Capp Street). For more information and to purchase advance tickets, visit besttamalesf.org.

16 Responses to “Best Tamale in SF tasting”

  1. Greg says:

    Fuck yea

  2. Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable says:

    Wow. That’s an interesting question. Everyone has a strong opinion on best Burrito and Best Taco, it seems like. What are people’s preferences for Best Tamale?

    • Ariel Dovas says:

      I’m partial to the Oaxacan-style mole.

      • Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable says:

        Where can I get ‘em?

        • Ariel Dovas says:

          Well, that’s the question. I would love to know where. La Oaxaqueña’s were decent, but not great. A lot of times they can be too dry for me.

          • Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable says:

            Do you have an opinion on the tamales at Roosevelt’s? That’s usually my go-to (aside from ones bought from the old ladies outside the 24th St BART station or the 30th & Mission MUNI stop… but those don’t really count).

          • Ariel Dovas says:

            I liked them a lot, but I haven’t been there since it’s been upscaled.

          • Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable says:

            Same. I’m kind of scared that I’ll hate it.

        • rhubarb_pie says:

          All-star at Alemany and Civic Center farmer’s markets.

          • runrunrun says:

            +++ All-Star is my go to when I’m at the Farmer’s Market.

            As for actual businesses, La Espiga de Oro on 24th has pretty decent tamales too. I had a really good Nicaraguan tamale at the tamale festival at the women’s center in 2009. I think(?) it was from La Santaneca. I’ve only been to Oye! Managua once but recall their Nicaraguan tamale also being quite good.

  3. Greg says:

    Old ladies and tamales are usually a good thing.

  4. MrEricSir says:

    Is there going to be beer? I mean, I’m sure it’s possible in theory to eat tamales without beer, but I wouldn’t want to try.

  5. OwenCR says:

    It won’t just be restaurant, food truck, and cart tamales – there will also be a bunch of folks cooking them up in their own family kitchens. You know – abuela style from the old country. Lots of different areas represented, too. I’m looking forward to getting a rare chance to taste some of those.

  6. Chache Ruiz says:

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