These 10 Washington Mexican Markets Make Tamales by the Dozen, Just in Time for the Holidays
A tamale shop in Lynnwood opens its doors at 5 in the morning. That means your breakfast tamale could be ready before most coffee shops even flip their signs.
I love that kind of detail. It tells me these markets take tamales seriously, and the rest of the week proves it.
Some counters run low on weekend mornings, and holiday orders get placed by the dozen.
Here in Washington, many of the best tamales live inside carnicerias, panaderias, and corner groceries. You grab a pack of tortillas, a bag of produce, and suddenly there’s a warm bundle of masa calling your name from the deli case.
The ten markets ahead stretch from the Kitsap Peninsula to the Tri-Cities and the Columbia River. Each one sells tamales alongside meat counters, pan dulce, or busy taquerias.
So which one is closest to your kitchen this weekend?
1. Carniceria El Paisano
Sleep in on a Saturday and you might miss out on the full tamale lineup here. Early birds get the best pick of the weekend selection at this White Center area favorite.
Carniceria El Paisano works as a market and butcher shop, so meat is the main event. You’ll find many cuts behind the counter, plus a lineup of Mexican prepared foods ready to carry home.
Tamales are a big part of that prepared lineup. Buying them by the dozen is a popular move, which makes sense for family dinners or a freezer stash.
Weekends bring the biggest rush. Saturday and Sunday mornings into the afternoon fill up fast, and Friday afternoons stay busy too.
Prefer a calmer shopping trip? Monday and Tuesday mornings tend to be the quietest windows of the week.
The shop also surprises people with a little merch corner. Shirts, sports bags, and hats share space with the groceries, so you could leave with lunch and a new cap.
Catering is available as well, which helps if you’re feeding a crowd. In-store pickup keeps things simple when you’ve planned ahead.
Hours run from 9 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, and until 8 PM on Sundays. That gives you plenty of room for an evening tamale run after work.
Address: 9629 15th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
2. Carniceria Los Compadres
Christmas Eve in Everett can mean two dozen tamales on the table, and this shop is one place people turn for them. Holiday orders here run big, and that tells you plenty.
Carniceria Los Compadres blends three businesses under one roof. It’s a Mexican grocery, a butcher shop, and an in-house taqueria all at once.
That taqueria serves fresh tacos and tamales. You can pick up dinner while your cart fills with groceries for the rest of the week.
The produce section earns its own shout-out. Fresh fruits and vegetables make it easy to stock up on salsa fixings or tomatillos for home cooking.
Evergreen Way is a busy corridor, and this stop fits neatly into errands along it. Most trips here are quick, which is handy when you’re juggling a long to-do list.
Hours are generous, from 8 AM to 9 PM every day of the week. Saturdays stay busy from morning into evening, and Sunday mornings into afternoons draw crowds as well.
Monday mornings are typically the calmest time to stop by. That’s a smart slot for placing a larger order without a line behind you.
Restrooms are available on site. Delivery isn’t offered, so plan to swing by in person and grab those tamales while they’re fresh.
Address: 5321 Evergreen Wy, Everett, WA 98203
3. Tienda Y Carniceria Los Guerreros
Warm tortillas and homemade tamales in the same stop? Lakewood shoppers get exactly that combo at this South Tacoma Way market.
Tienda Y Carniceria Los Guerreros pairs a Mexican grocery with a fresh meat market. The prepared foods are a big draw, with carnitas, tamales, and baked goods ready to go.
Holidays bring a special kind of traffic. Christmas Eve tamale runs are a tradition for many families, often alongside carne asada for the rest of the feast.
The bakery side adds a sweet bonus to your bag. Grab something for dessert while you wait at the meat counter.
Produce is another strong point here. It’s easy to round out a meal with fresh vegetables before you head home.
On-site parking makes the stop easy, especially if you’re loading up for a party. Most visits are quick in and out.
Sundays stay busy from morning to evening. Friday and Saturday afternoons into evenings also bring steady crowds.
Weekday mornings, Monday through Thursday, are the quietest times. If you want a relaxed browse, that’s your sweet spot.
The doors open at 8 AM and close at 9 PM daily. Delivery isn’t available, so tamale lovers in Pierce County will want to make the drive themselves.
Address: 10515 S Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA 98499
4. Panaderia y Carniceria los Portales
Open from 5 AM until 11 PM every single day, this Lynnwood shop basically refuses to let a tamale craving go unanswered. Early shift or late shift, you’re covered.
Panaderia y Carniceria los Portales mixes a Mexican market with a bakery. Tamales, meats, and pastries all share the spotlight here.
The homemade tamales come in flavors like chicken and cheese with corn. They lean a touch spicy, which suits anyone who likes a little kick with breakfast.
Pan and tamales make a classic pairing at this counter. Picking up a pastry with your tamale feels almost required.
Coffee is on offer too. A hot cup plus a fresh tamale at dawn is a pretty great way to start a commute.
Takeout keeps things moving, and most visits are quick. Delivery isn’t offered, so you’ll need to stop in yourself.
Evenings get lively through much of the week. Saturday and Sunday afternoons into evenings are especially busy.
Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, Monday through Friday. That early window could be perfect for grabbing a dozen before the evening rush.
Spending usually lands somewhere in a modest range per person. It’s an easy stop for a family treat along Highway 99 in Snohomish County.
Address: 15620 Hwy 99 Ste 1, Lynnwood, WA 98087
5. SuperMex El Pueblo Market
Head to the deli at the back of this Pasco grocery, because that’s where the tamale magic happens. The deli tamales here earn plenty of love in the Tri-Cities.
SuperMex El Pueblo Market combines a Mexican grocery store with an authentic eatery. You can shop fresh produce and then grab a hot meal before checkout.
Meats are known for being fresh. The drinks get attention too, so a cold beverage with your tamales makes a solid lunch.
A bakery rounds out the offerings. Prepared foods line the cases, giving you options beyond tamales if your crew can’t agree.
The early start is a perk. Doors open at 6:30 AM and stay open until 10 PM daily.
Sundays are the busiest day, from morning to evening. Saturday afternoons bring a wave of shoppers as well.
Late nights are the quietest stretch through most of the week. A late tamale pickup could mean breezing right through.
Parking is easy, with an on-site lot available. Restrooms are there if you’ve been driving across Eastern Washington and need a break.
Delivery isn’t offered, so plan an in-person trip. Most visits are quick, though wandering the produce aisles might stretch yours a bit.
Address: 720 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301
6. Rancho Meat Market
Come for the seasoned meats, stay for the hot food counter. Pasco’s second stop on this list proves a carniceria can multitask beautifully.
Rancho Meat Market runs as a Mexican grocery store and carniceria. Quality seasoned meats are a specialty, ready for your grill or skillet.
Homemade salsas are another highlight. Grab a container to spoon over your tamales back home.
The prepared food stands out in a big way. Birria, carnitas, and tamales all get high marks from the kitchen here.
That trio makes for a seriously good spread. Picture a weekend table with all three, plus fresh tortillas and salsa on the side.
Produce is strong too, so you can fill out your basket. Groceries cover the basics for a full Mexican dinner.
Hours stretch from 8 AM to 9:30 PM every day. Afternoons into evenings get busy through much of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Quieter stretches tend to come Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday nights. Those late windows can mean a faster stop.
Delivery isn’t offered, and most visits are quick. It’s an easy errand on the way home from work or a Columbia River outing.
Having two tamale stops in Pasco feels like a gift. Why not try both and pick a favorite?
Address: 4903 Robert Wayne Dr, Pasco, WA 99301
7. Carnicería Los Compadres / Los Amigos
Tulip season in the Skagit Valley pairs nicely with a tamale detour. This Mount Vernon market sits along Freeway Drive, close enough for an easy stop.
Carnicería Los Compadres / Los Amigos is a full Hispanic market. Fresh meats, salsas, drinks, fruit, canned goods, and spices fill the store.
The taqueria inside is the real headliner. Tacos and tamales both shine, making it tough to choose just one.
The butcher side offers fresh cuts of meat. Combine that with the produce section, and you’ve got a full grocery haul.
Hours vary across the week, so plan ahead. It’s closed Mondays and opens Tuesday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Saturdays start earlier, opening at 7 AM until 8 PM. Sundays run from 7 AM to 5:30 PM, so don’t wait too late.
Sunday mornings into afternoons get busy. Weekday mornings, Tuesday through Friday, are typically calmer.
Parking is easy with a free lot nearby. Restrooms are available, a nice touch after a long drive up I-5.
Delivery isn’t offered here. That’s fine, because browsing the aisles is half the fun.
Address: 1627 Freeway Dr, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
8. Mendoza’s Mexican Mercado
Freezer space might become your biggest problem after a trip here. Fresh tamales from this Aurora Avenue market are a favorite to take home and freeze.
Mendoza’s Mexican Mercado stocks specialty ingredients and products from Mexico. Prepared meals add easy options when you don’t feel like cooking.
The fresh tamales are hard to beat. Pair them with queso fresco and fresh meats from the same trip for a well-rounded haul.
Organic products are on the shelves too. Great produce adds even more reasons to linger.
Convenience is a strong suit here. Delivery, no-contact delivery, and in-store pickup are all available.
The space is LGBTQ+ friendly, which many shoppers appreciate. A free on-site parking lot makes the stop even easier along busy Aurora.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM. The market is closed on Sundays, so plan your weekend stock-up for Saturday.
Saturday mornings into afternoons are the busiest time. Tuesdays tend to be quiet all day, perfect for a relaxed browse.
Greenwood and Phinney Ridge neighbors have an easy tamale fix right nearby. Most visits are quick, unless the specialty shelves pull you in.
Address: 7811 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
9. Made in Mexico Market
Ninety tacos and 36 tamales for one work lunch? This Silverdale market has handled orders that size, and that’s impressive for a Kitsap Peninsula grocery.
Made in Mexico Market blends an authentic Mexican grocery with an eatery. Signature street tacos headline the menu, joined by traditional prepared dishes.
Tamales fit right into that lineup. Ordering them by the dozen makes sense for meetings, parties, or a hungry family.
The grocery side features great produce. You can shop for home cooking while your food order comes together.
Delivery is available, a nice perk for busy days. In-store shopping works too if you’d rather browse.
Free parking makes stopping simple, with a lot and street spots available. Restrooms are on site as well.
Hours start later than some markets on this list. Monday through Thursday, it’s open 11 AM to 8 PM.
Fridays run until 8:30 PM. Saturdays open at 10 AM and close at 8:30 PM, while Sundays go from 10 AM to 8 PM.
Saturday mornings into afternoons get busy, and Tuesday afternoons see a bump too. Most weekday mornings stay calmer.
A ferry day trip across Puget Sound could easily end with a tamale stop here. Sounds like a pretty great Saturday plan.
Address: 9242 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, WA 98383
10. Taqueria Market
Here’s a handy steaming tip from this Vancouver counter: stand your tamales with one end pointing up. Small details like that show how seriously the staff takes them.
Taqueria Market is a Mexican and Latin American grocery with a small dining room in the back. The setting is casual and quiet, with counter service and seating.
Tamale options include pork, chicken, and sweet corn. Cheese and jalapeño tamales are another choice, and bulk bags make stocking up easy.
The tamales come wrapped in paper around a corn husk. It’s a traditional touch that keeps them snug.
Beyond tamales, the kitchen serves tacos, supreme burritos, and a full vegetarian menu. A stuffed poblano pepper with rice and beans stands out among the meatless picks.
The market side offers pan, tortillas, and Mexican desserts. A meat counter carries pre-marinated and prepped meats for easy dinners.
It’s family-friendly, with high chairs available. Service moves fast, a plus when kids are hungry.
Hours run 9 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and until 8 PM Sunday. Breakfast and lunch are popular times to stop in.
Free parking is usually plentiful. Reservations aren’t taken, so just show up hungry in Southwest Washington.
Address: 11505 NE Fourth Plain Blvd f5, Vancouver, WA 98662