While my friend and I were driving up to the Food Truck Park recently, I was brainstorming my food choices.  Facebook had told me I’d have handful of choices today and it was of utmost importance I make the correct decision for lunch.

But all of that spent brainpower went completely out the window when I saw a completely different truck parked on the lot.  My eyes beheld the delicious Tamale Queen.

With a name like “Tamale Queen” I knew there were really no other options for me that day.  I still looked around (in an odd attempt to be polite to the other trucks), but ultimately returned to the Queen (aka “Consuela”).  I love me a good tamale.

Unfortunately it’s tough to make a tamale look good on camera (especially a phone camera), so you’ll have to trust my tastebuds when I describe them to you.

That day there were 3 tamale flavors available: cheese & veggie, chicken, and spicy pork.  Initially two looked like the right number for a lunch, but how was I to decide which two to eat?  I made the obvious decision – I bought one of each.  My tastebuds applauded the action, my stomach not as much.

So, three different types, all very promising.  I unwrapped each and did a side-by-side taste comparison, clearing my palate with a bottle of water.  I am so fancy.

To start off, the masa (outer corn-dough surrounding the insides) was very tasty; it was soft and flavorful, and not at all dry.  It had a slightly chicken-broth flavor as well.  It deliciously accompanied all the other filling flavors.

The first flavor I tried was the Cheese & Veggie tamale.  It was mellow and not spicy, with your typical peppery, cuminy flavors.  The cheese was warm and satisfying.  A very tasty tamale.

The second I tried was the Chicken.  Despite the fact it wasn’t labeled as “spicy” I thought it was the spiciest of the 3; I think perhaps it was flavored with some spicy tomatillos.  Unfortunately the meat was a touch dry, which was particularly noticeable after eating the cheese & veggie tamale.  Despite that, it was still very good.

The last one I ate was the Spicy Pork.  Even though it was specifically labeled as “spicy”, I thought it didn’t have nearly the kick that the chicken tamale did, though it was still spicier than the cheese & veg.  It was very good, though like the chicken the pork filling was also a touch dry.  Even so I’d definitely eat it again.

Bottom Line

The Tamale Queen has fabulous tamales (and my friend said the tacos were good too, though I cannot personally attest.  YET).  The masa is savory and flavorful, and all 3 options of fillings are tasty.  The meat fillings were a little dryer than I’d have preferred, but not to the point where I’d be deterred from recommending them to others.  It’s tough to say which flavor was my favorite – all were so good! – but I almost think the veggie one edges slightly ahead because it was the most moist.  I recommend bringing a friend the first time you go and share all 3 tamale flavors and some tacos together.  That way you all get to try the flavors and nobody goes home with a stomach ache.  Unless you want to!

Tamale Queen

• Cheese & Veggie Tamale – $3
  • Moist, cheesy, and flavorful; not particularly spicy
• Chicken – $3
  • Chicken was a little dry, but still flavorful.  Most spicy of the 3!
• Spicy Pork Tamale – $3
  • Pork was a little dry, but also still very flavorful.  A medium amount of heat.  Surprising, considering it was labeled “Spicy”.