These 10 Pennsylvania Mexican Markets Make Tamales By The Dozen Just In Time For The Holidays
One of these markets runs its own tortilla factory right inside the store.
Another has a family that makes homemade tamales on Saturdays, and people carry them home to feed the whole household.
Across Pennsylvania, small Mexican groceries turn into tamale headquarters when December rolls around.
Some sell them hot, some sell them by the dozen, and some stock the masa and husks so you can roll your own.
I love that these spots are shops first. You can grab produce, hot sauce, or fresh tortillas, then leave with enough tamales to feed a crowd.
No fancy reservations, no tasting menus, just good food wrapped in corn husks.
Tamales are a holiday tradition in many Mexican and Central American homes, and I can’t think of a tastier one to borrow.
So which market is closest to your kitchen, and how many dozen should you order?
1. Juquilita Mexican Store LLC
Homemade tamales are one reason to visit this Elizabethtown shop. Customers have praised the fresh tamales, making them worth asking about when you’re planning a family meal.
Juquilita Mexican Store LLC is part grocery and part eatery along South Market Street. That combo means you can shop for ingredients and grab a hot meal in one stop.
Tacos al pastor are a big draw on the eatery side. Add a cup of horchata, and you’ve got a sweet, creamy sidekick for the spicy stuff.
The grocery aisles carry a wide variety of goods, plus fresh produce worth checking out. If your holiday spread needs cilantro, limes, or chiles, start here.
Free Wi-Fi and a restroom make it an easy pit stop on a busy errand day. Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest, so aim for a quieter window if you can.
Most listings show the store opening at 9 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, with a 10:30 AM start on Sundays.
Tuesday hours differ considerably between published sources, so confirm directly before making a late-night trip.
For holiday orders, ask when the next batch of homemade tamales will be available and whether larger quantities can be prepared in advance. Bring a sturdy bag for the ride home through Lancaster County.
Address: 1680 S Market St, Elizabethtown, PA 17022
2. El Puente Mexican Store And Tortillería Factory
Few grocery stores can claim a tortilla factory under the same roof. El Puente can, and the fresh corn tortillas come straight from its own tortillería.
That alone would justify a trip to North 6th Street in Reading. The tamales seal the deal, and they’re sold hot and fresh.
Buying tamales in quantity is common here, often with a stack of tortillas on the side. For a holiday party, that duo covers a lot of ground.
The meat department is another strong reason to stop. If you’re building a taco bar or simmering something for the family, you’ll find cuts to work with.
Fresh produce rounds out the market side. A restaurant counter serves authentic tacos too, so nobody has to shop hungry.
Doors open at 8 a.m. and stay open until 9 p.m. seven days a week. Weekend afternoons get busy, while Tuesday and Wednesday mornings tend to be calmer.
Free street parking makes the stop easier, and there’s a gender-neutral restroom on site. Delivery isn’t offered, so this one’s a pick-it-up-yourself mission.
Pro tip for December: grab extra tortillas for the freezer. They’ll stretch your holiday leftovers well into January.
Address: 431 N 6th St, Reading, PA 19601
3. Lua’s Mexican Store
A small borough with a big tamale reputation? York Springs makes a strong case, thanks to this Main Street shop.
Lua’s Mexican Store lists tamales right among its featured goods. That’s a clear signal they’re a house specialty, not an afterthought.
Beyond tamales, the store carries a variety of Mexican goods and fresh produce. It also offers money-transfer services, which makes it a handy community hub.
Customer service is a strong point here. The store itself is a good-looking space that makes browsing easy.
Hours are generous, running 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Weekday mornings are typically the quietest time to pop in.
Sunday afternoons and Friday evenings tend to draw the biggest crowds. If you’re hoping to snag a big holiday batch, an earlier visit could save you some waiting.
York Springs sits in northern Adams County, an easy drive from Gettysburg, Carlisle, or Harrisburg. Combine a tamale run with a scenic country drive and you’ve got a solid holiday afternoon.
Delivery isn’t offered, so plan on stopping in. Ask about larger orders while you’re there, since the holidays bring big appetites.
Tamales freeze well, so buying extra now is smart planning. Future you will be grateful on a busy January weeknight.
Address: 202 Main St, York Springs, PA 17372
4. Reyna Foods
Pittsburgh’s Strip District is packed with food shops, and this one has been a go-to for Mexican ingredients for years.
Reyna Foods is known for house-made tortillas and a huge lineup of hot sauces.
The real treasure sits in the coolers. Homemade tamales share space with house-made salsas, guacamole, queso, and tortillas.
That makes it a one-stop shop for a holiday spread. Grab tamales, a tub of guac, and a couple of salsas, and your party table is mostly done.
Prefer to make tamales yourself? Reyna stocks tamale masa and corn husks, which home cooks seek out during the Thanksgiving and winter tamale season.
One smart habit: check the date on any masa you buy. Fresh ingredients make a huge difference when you’re rolling dozens of tamales.
Hours are on the shorter side, so plan ahead. Weekdays run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday stretches to 5 p.m., Saturday opens at 8 a.m., and Sunday runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Delivery isn’t offered, so this is an in-person shopping trip. Show up early, browse the neighboring Penn Avenue shops, and make a morning of it.
Address: 2031 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
5. Los Campos
North of Pittsburgh, Perry Highway is better known for strip malls than masa.
Los Campos changes that story with a Mexican grocery and eatery that puts tamales front and center.
Authentic tamales are a featured specialty here, available for carryout. That makes this Wexford stop a natural choice when holiday hosting duties land on your shoulders.
The grocery side stocks a variety of Latino products. Fresh produce is a highlight, so you can round out your menu without a second errand.
Planning a big order is smart, since holiday demand runs high. Calling ahead gives the kitchen time to prep your batch.
Pay attention to the hours before you head out. The store is closed Mondays, and start times shift during the week.
Tuesday opens at 11 a.m., while Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday open at 10 a.m. Thursday starts at 1 p.m., Sunday at 1:30 p.m., and closing time is 8 p.m. on each open day.
Delivery isn’t available, so this is an in-store shopping trip. That’s fine, because browsing the aisles is half the fun.
For families in the North Hills, it beats driving across Allegheny County for a taste of the holidays. Grab some extras for the freezer while you’re at it.
Address: 11566 Perry Hwy Unit F, Wexford, PA 15090
6. La Placita
Soccer on the TV, Mexican music in the air, and tamales at the counter.
La Placita brings corner-market energy to North 12th Street in Allentown.
Part deli, part grocer, and part cafe, the storefront has an old-school feel. Tacos are made to order, and street tacos share the spotlight with tamales.
Those tamales are scratch-made and come out hot and fresh. Buying them in quantity is common, which is great news for holiday hosts.
Hungry while you wait? Caldo de camarón, a spicy shrimp soup, is a menu highlight, and there are tortas too.
Service is fast, and the casual setup works well for kids or solo diners. You can eat in, take out, or order delivery.
Hours run 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. most days, with an earlier 5:30 p.m. close on Sunday. The shop is closed Tuesdays, so don’t plan your tamale run then.
Street parking is free but often hard to find. Give yourself a few extra minutes to circle the block.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up ready to order. Allentown has plenty of Mexican spots, and this one earns its place on any Pennsylvania tamale list.
Address: 158 N 12th St, Allentown, PA 18102
7. Carniceria Camargo
Kennett Square calls itself the Mushroom Capital of the World, but this butcher shop gives tamale fans a different reason to visit.
Carniceria Camargo sits on Magnolia Street, a short hop off the main roads. The store is small, but it covers a lot.
It works as a Mexican meat market and grocery stocked with Latin staples.
Freshly cooked tamales are the hot food item to grab here. Buy them by the bag, and your holiday prep just got a lot simpler.
Fair prices are part of the appeal. When you’re feeding a crowd, that matters more than ever.
The meat counter is handy if you’re cooking other dishes for the season. Pick up what you need for a roast or a pot of pozole while you’re there.
Hours are simple to remember: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Sunday morning into early afternoon tends to be the busiest stretch.
For a calmer trip, weekday mornings are usually quieter. Delivery isn’t offered, so plan to stop in person.
Kennett Square’s downtown makes a fun add-on to your visit. Wander State Street after you’ve loaded the car with tamales.
Address: 207 Magnolia St, Kennett Square, PA 19348
8. El Pueblito
Here’s a handy combo: a sit-down Mexican restaurant with a grocery store attached. El Pueblito on Dillerville Road lets you eat lunch and shop for your holiday menu in one trip.
Tamales are one reason to go. They’re available for takeout with your groceries, making them a convenient addition to a holiday meal.
Ask the restaurant about larger orders before planning a family gathering.
The menu goes deep. Beef tongue tacos, sopes, enchiladas verdes, menudo, and caldo de res appear alongside fresh guacamole.
Breakfast is served too, starting at 9:30 AM daily. Doors stay open until 9 PM, so late tamale cravings are covered.
Families will appreciate the high chairs and kids’ menu. The restaurant does not take reservations, but customers can call ahead to place orders for pickup.
Parking is easy, with a free lot and free street spots. Weekend evenings tend to be busiest, while weekday mornings are calmer.
Wash it down with horchata or a bottle of Jarritos. Then hit the grocery aisles for anything your holiday table still needs.
Lancaster is famous for Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, so a tamale stop makes a tasty change of pace. If you’re hoping to feed a crowd, check availability and ordering options before making the trip.
Address: 1027 Dillerville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603
9. Cielito Lindo Mexican Grocery
New Holland is best known for its farm country, but its Main Street holds a serious tamale stop.
Cielito Lindo Mexican Grocery keeps things simple with Mexican groceries and snacks.
The tamales are the star. Chicken, pork, and veggie versions are scratch-made and sold for takeaway.
That lineup is great news for mixed holiday crowds. Meat lovers and vegetarians can both leave happy from the same order.
The variety also makes it easy to sample. Grab a few of each and crown your own favorite at the dinner table.
Hours are friendly to early birds on most days. Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday open at 8 a.m., while Monday and Wednesday start at 10 a.m.
Closing time is 8 p.m. across the week. On-site parking takes the stress out of a quick stop.
New Holland sits in eastern Lancaster County, surrounded by rolling fields. A tamale run pairs nicely with a scenic winter drive along the back roads.
Snacks make a nice bonus for the ride home. Stash a few tamales in the freezer too, and you’ll have a holiday treat waiting long after the decorations come down.
Address: 107 E Main St, New Holland, PA 17557
10. Alberto’s Mexican Produce & Restaurant
Fresh tamales and Mexican groceries under one roof?
Alberto’s Mexican Produce & Restaurant in Hazleton makes holiday food shopping a lot more interesting.
This neighborhood market combines shelves of imported Mexican ingredients with a casual restaurant serving traditional favorites.
The tamales are a standout. They’re prepared fresh daily, and popular batches can sell quickly, so arriving earlier is a smart move.
Planning a holiday gathering? Ask about larger orders in advance rather than counting on finding enough tamales for everyone.
There’s plenty more to explore. Tacos, quesadillas, and empanadas give hungry shoppers several options for a quick meal.
Don’t overlook the picaditas. These corn masa cakes come topped with sauce, cheese, or cream, making them another favorite worth trying.
The grocery side stocks fresh produce, Mexican spices, snacks, and specialty ingredients that can be difficult to find at regular supermarkets.
That makes it easy to pick up supplies for homemade salsa or a family dinner while grabbing something delicious for the ride home.
The market is generally open daily, although Sunday hours are shorter. Check the schedule before visiting.
Address: 11 E Diamond Ave, Hazleton, PA 18201