IF FOOD IS ONE OF THE BEST ways to experience culture, then the New Mexico Tamale Festival cooks up the perfect chance to take a huge bite. The Cinco de Mayo celebration brings together local restaurants, chefs, and food trucks, plus Mexican beer gardens, ballet folklórico performances, live music, and a night mercado from 4 to 10 p.m. on the Plaza de Las Cruces. “Everyone loves tamales,” says Justin Hodges, founder and owner of PartyTenders Inc., which hosts the event. “They bring up fond memories, specifically of the holidays.” Hodges anticipates 15 to 20 varieties of tamales to sample.
“Expect a ton of traditional choices and a few really interesting takes,” he says. Try them all and vote for your favorites, but here are three returning vendors not to miss.
Tamalazos Tamales. This pop-up, which usually sells only around the holidays, took home first place in last year’s inaugural event. “They offer a classic selection of red chile pork, Hatch green chile and cheese, and verde con pollo,” Hodges says.
Sugar Drip. Michael Guerra’s Las Cruces–based food truck has a sweet focus, making a variety of flavored cotton candy, ice creams, and sprinkle-covered treats. “He created a tamale with ice cream, whipped cream, and Mexican sugar and spices,” says Hodges.
Xanthe’s Grill. Greek food and tamales may not be the most intuitive combination, but these are a hit. “One had a hummus and black bean filling,” Hodges says. “Another was a gyro in tamale form.”
