Photo by Janet Jensen/The News Tribune
TNT Diner reader Olemag asks in the You Plate Special thread, “But WHERE ARE THE REAL TAMALES?”
When I think of good tamales, I think of Vuelve a la Vida on Pacific. A few years ago I was invited to a gourmand potluck with chefs, sommeliers, food writers – completely lovable, but snobbish food elitists, all of them. The theme was “best Mexican ever.” I presented a tray of Vuelve’s tamales. I didn’t even get one, they flew off the table in a tamales flurry. My friends pledged allegiance to Vuelve.
TNT Diner readers agree with the lure of Vuelve. Here’s what they said:
TNT Diner reader kalvyn: If you like Mexican food, and you’ve not yet eaten at Vuelve A La Vida, do so immediately if not sooner. Thursdays are homemade chiles relleno night. Don’t do on those nights, so I’ll have some chiles left for us when we get there!
For what it’s worth, I’ve been to Mexico twice in the last few years. I’ve STILL not had better Mexican food than what you get at Vuelve, even in Mexico!
TNT Diner reader steilacoomtaxpayer: I totally agree with you,kalvyn, Vuelve A La Vida cannot be surpassed in T-Town, or anywhere in a radial 100 miles (thus falling short of Yakima, though they would have a real go at it there). Wow! That is good Mexican food.
YOUR TURN: Where do you get your tamales? Click the read more button to see a few places around town that serve tamales (it’s not a complete list).
My standards: a good ratio of sauce to masa, with an ample amount of meat inside. I like a small sting of spice in the sauce. And a lightly sweet corn flavor to the masa. What are your tamales standards?
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