El Monterey Beef Tamales

El Monterey Beef Tamales are hand rapped in real corn husk ... as if that were a big thing. What else would you wrap a tamale in?
 

Most frozen tamales are sad shadows of the real thing, but these are close to the real thing. Not as good as, but close. They still need to have more grit to them and real tamales have that little bit that gets between the corn husks. 

So, very close, very good, but still just not perfect.

Tucson Tamale Black Bean, Corn & Cheese Tamales

Tucson Tamale Black Bean, Corn & Cheese Tamales fall apart when you unwrap them. They taste all right but not great and in general will just fall short of being what you want. 

I'll say that these are good enough to get your guts moving so you'll have an easy time in the can after eating them. All in all, not really worth getting but filling. 

Texas Tamale Company Gourmet Chicken Tamales

Clearly made by some Hippy in Texas 'Texas Tamale Company' 'Gourmet Chicken Tamales' are gluten free and made without lard. In short, they are as far away from a tamale as one can and still taste that good. 

Are they as good as the real thing? No, but they are the best frozen or canned tamales I've ever had. 

CedarLane Roasted Vegetable Tamales

CedarLane Roasted Vegetable Tamales are surprisingly good for being made by a company called CedarLane. These are about as bad as normal frozen tamales. That's impressive for being made of vegetables. 

Ray's Tapeyac Tamales

Ray's Tapeyac is one restaurant that I have never walked away from without feeling like I need a nap. They just give you a lot of food. Now there Tamales are no exception coming with beans and rice. There is nothing I enjoy more than scooping up those beans with the chips that come with every meal.

Now, the Tamales are not very traditional. The masa is rather smooth and these are not hot at all. I was surprised at just how mild these were. 

Ray's Tamales are fine and all but there are much better things on the menu.