This Tiny Tamale Shack Serves Up The Best Hand Tied Tamales In New Mexico

Some restaurants might not look like much from the outside, and this is no exception. This tiny shack in the small town of Cleveland might be easy to pass over, but inside are the best tamales you’ve ever had. Tamales are a tradition in both Mexico and New Mexico, and whether you’re eating them as a meal or a snack, there’s nothing like a homemade, handmade, hand-tied tamale. This little restaurant might be out of the way in northern New Mexico, but it’s so worth the drive.

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There's simply nothing like a homemade tamale. Making tamales by hand is a Mexican tradition, and especially around Christmastime. Here at Teresa's, you can celebrate this tradition and enjoy the craft of hand tied tamales all year long.

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Don't blink or you might miss this unassuming shack off NM-518. Many might see Cleveland as a small town to overpass, but many drive thousands of miles just to come to Teresa's. Even major celebrities have stopped by to have a taste of these delicious tamales.

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Teresa began making tamales as a child with her family, standing in line beside them, making each tamale and filling each corn husk one by one. The love for tamales started young here, but it grew as Teresa got older. In the early '90s, Teresa took what she knew and loved best—making tamales—and began selling them to local businesses.

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As soon as locals began tasting Teresa's tamales, they couldn't get enough. After recruiting her family, including teaching her daughter how to tie tamales, Teresa committed her life to the craft. After many years of selling tamales to commercial restaurants, grocery stores, and everywhere else that demanded them, Teresa opened her own tamale shack that also offers other New Mexican fare. The restaurant is very small, so you may have to wait for your meal, but it's so worth it.

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If you stop in for breakfast, you can enjoy a plentiful plate of huevos rancheros, papas, and bacon. Later in the day you can enjoy a platter of beautiful hand tied tamales, featuring pork, chicken, or vegetables. A smothered tamale, enchiladas, or calabasita will hit the spot every time. There's very little seating at Teresa's, but with everyone being so welcoming and friendly, it's comfortable to eat a meal together. Don't forget to order tamales to go!

Vanessa Hopkins/Google Local

Teresa's Tamales is open every day except Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Address: 3296 NM-518, Mile Marker 33, Cleveland, NM. For more information, visit the restaurant's website or Facebook page.

Claiming that one little shack in New Mexico has the best tamales is quite the proclamation. Have you been to Teresa’s, and would you agree? Let us hear about your experience in the comments.

If you’re looking for more of the “best”, this inconspicuous restaurant serves up the best fried chicken in the entire state, and possibly the world.