BEST Tamales in Santa Ana [Top 11]

Santa Ana is a small city in Orange County but is famous for its historical sites and recreational spots. The city has vast food scenes. Among them, the Mexican one is quite talked about. And when talking about Mexican food, there are many different things to try. So, if you want to eat some of the best tamales in Santa Ana, continue reading this as we have gathered information regarding the top twelve tamales in the city. If you are really into Mexican cuisine, check out the best places to get Birria in Santa Ana that are worth trying.

Best Tamales In Santa Ana

Following are the top-rated places to have tamales in Santa Ana, CA.

Tamales Irma

Tamales are an interesting Mexican dish to eat, the filling can vary from place to place, but it is generally made of meat. If you want an authentic Mexican tamale in Santa Ana, head to Tamales Irma.

It is a food truck situated in Santa Ana but is not actually based in the same city. They are experts in serving the most original tamale in the area and are proud to serve a variety of them. Their menu includes every kind of tamales, from meat to fruit.

Nonetheless, the best tamale they have to offer is the Banana Leaf one. It’s a weird combination, but it tastes like heaven. Don’t forget to ask for the salsa as it’s free though delicious. They open super early at 6 am and close around 11 am. So, if you really want to try their food, you need to wake up early.

• Specialties: Banana Leaf Tamales, Chicken Tamales, Plantain Wrapped Tamales.
• Contact: +1 714-307-7181
• Address: 2016 S Flower St, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
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Flor De Oaxaca

Santa Ana has the best Mexican food, and when we say Mexican food, there is every kind of it, including the famous tamales. This Mexican dish has different fillings in every city in Mexico, and if you want to have a typical Oaxacan tamale, then you should go to Flor De Oaxaca.

Flor De Oaxaca is a Mexican eatery in Santa Ana, CA that is inspired by Oaxaca, Mexico. It has the true taste of Oaxaca and serves a variety of dishes, including the best tamales in Santa Ana.

Their enchiladas and quesadillas are also very popular, but their tamales have the traditional filling of chicken and mole inspired by Oaxaca. Flor De Oaxaca opens from 9 am and closes around 9 pm.

• Specialties: Tamales, Enchiladas, Quesadilas.
• Contact: +1 714-541-4414
• Address: 210 W 1st St #111, Santa Ana, CA 92701, United States
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Recommended Read: The BEST Beaches Near Santa Ana

Sarinana’s Restaurant

Sarinana’s Restaurant has a very casual vibe and is fantastic for kids. This women-owned place also has outdoor seating and is suitable for groups too. There is also a path for wheelchairs so that differently-abled people can also enjoy some Mexican goodness.

This place is also called Sarinana’s Tamales Factory, and rightfully as they have every kind of tamales in Santa Ana, from pork to chicken, to sweet corn and green chili ones. They also have sweet tamales with raisins and fruits. And not to be overly dramatic, but their tamales are amazingly cooked and taste super delicious.

You can go to this tamale factory between 7 am till 9 pm. So, you can have a tamale for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

• Specialties: Pork Tamale, Hard Shell Tacos, Crunchy Shell Taco.
• Contact: +1 714-558-8650
• Address: 2218 W 5th St, Santa Ana, CA 92703, United States
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Aria’s Tamales

If you are looking for tasty tamales, you must go to Aris’s Tamales. This is a little place in the area, but it serves some best tamales in Santa Ana. While in the city, don’t forget to check out some of its amazing parks for families to visit. Check out this article on The Best Parks for Families to Visit in Santa Ana.

This place has tamales with many fillings ranging from pork to chicken and a few sweet options. You can go there between 6:30 am till 11 pm only on weekends. So, if you want a good tamale for breakfast on a lazy weekend, you can visit them.

• Contact: +1 714-909-6373
• Address: 151-199 W Pomona St, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
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Las Brisas De Apatzingan

If you want to take your kids out for a Mexican dinner and some tamales, consider going to Las Brisas De Apatzingan. It is a divey restaurant in Santa Ana with moderate noise and a casual vibe.

The place can also hold a little meetup with friends, and you can chat over a round of wine or beer. There is also a television in the establishment.

Also, the tamales here are amazing. The most famous tamale of all is the corn one. It has the perfect balance of Mexican spices and will satisfy your taste buds.

• Specialties: Corn Tamales, Potato Taquitos, Huchepo.
• Contact: +1 714-545-5584
• 1524 S Flower St, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
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La Rancherita Tortilleria & Deli

This is a decades-old restaurant in Santa Ana, CA. They are well-known for selling items made from the freshest vegetables and meat. Their food is both hygienic and flavorful, making it among the places that sell the best tamales in Santa Ana.

They have many options of tamales on their menu, including chicken, pork, beef, and cheese. They all are amazing in taste since they are made from fresh ingredients and have the original Mexican flavor.

• Specialties: Chicken Tamales, Menudo, Wet Burrito.
• Contact: +1 714-554-2791
• Address: 4406 W 5th St, Santa Ana, CA 92703, United States
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El Toro Carniceria

El Toro Carniceria is a kids-friendly eatery that offers a wide range of Mexican food. You can go there with your family between 6:30 to 9 pm and can have every meal of the day.

Their tamales are not very known in the area but let us tell you that they are delicious. You will take just one bite and will be in awe of them. Although they offer plenty of options, the Tamale De Raja is the favorite one. It has an apt blend of chilies and cheese with the right amount of Mexican sauces.

• Specialties: Tamale De Raja, Tacos, Birria.
• Contact: +1 714-836-1393
• Address: 1340 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92703, United States
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Tamaleria Rincon Sinaloense

Are you in pursuit of the best place for tamales in Santa Ana? Do you want to have an authentic tamale experience? If so, then you must go to Tamaleria Rincon Sinaloense.

This eatery has proudly served Mexico’s authentic flavors in So Cal. They take pride in making one of the best tamales in Santa Ana with fresh and secret ingredients that give the original taste.

Their tamales have fillings from chicken to beef, pork, pineapple, cheese, and sweet corn. People have rated the beef tamale best because it has all the real flavors and a perfect portion of masa. Apart from that, the sweet corn and pork tamale are also great in taste.

• Specialties: Beef Tamales, Chicken Tamales, Cheese Tamales.
• Contact: +1 714-997-9391
• Address: 421 N Tustin St, Orange, CA 92867, United States
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La Vegana Mexicana

La Vegana Mexicana has tamales as their special dosh; They make tamales with authentic recipes and fresh ingredients. They are a pioneer of tamales in Santa Ana, and people love their Mexican food.

The best part about this place is that it’s vegetarian, and none of its dishes incorporate meat. Even tamales are made from vegan stuff. Their black bean and mole tamale is said to be the best. However, the jalapeno and cheese one is also delicious. After your meal, check out some of the best bars in Santa Ana by visiting this article on “Top 33 BEST Bars In Santa Ana“.

• Specialties: Mushroom Tamale, Black Bean, Mole Tamale, Pambazo.
• Contact:+1 949-988-4268
• Address: 201 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701, United States
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El Gallo Giro

El Gallo Giro is a Mexican cuisine restaurant located in Santa Ana. This place specializes in different Mexican dishes, but there is an exciting part, it also sells the ingredients to make them.

You can go to El Gallo Giro and can either have some food or can also buy the ingredients for a tamale. If you want to try making it at home, buy the masa, fillings of your choice, and corn husk, and get to work.

• Specialties: Chicken Tamale, Pork Tamale, Pan Dulce.
• Contact: +1 714-549-2011
• Address: 1442 S Bristol St #1A, Santa Ana, CA 92704, United States
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Shane’s Tamale

Shane’s Tamale is a small pop-up restaurant that the locals in Santa Ana adore. This place has one of the best tamales in Santa Ana.

And the most exciting part about this eatery is that their food is hundred percent vegetarian. Their tamales are delicious and good for people who don’t eat flesh. Tamale Boat is such a fun way to eat a tamale, or you can also go for other options since they have more than fifteen tamales on their menu.

• Specialties: Tamale Boat, Spinach Cream Tamale, Loaded Boat.
• Contact: (562) 328-0646
• Address: 20 Civic Center Plz Santa Ana, CA 92701, United States.

Final Words

Here, we have told you about the best tamales in Santa Ana and where you can get them. We hope this blog has made your hunt for tamale places in Santa Ana hassle-free. And If you’re in the mood for something different, don’t miss out on the BEST Chinese Food Santa Ana Offers.