I've hunted down and eaten tamales from Mexico City to (now) the Canadian border, and I swear you won't find better (and healthier) homemade tamales anywhere. From the chorizo tamale (cooked with the owner's own chorizo seasoning) to the southwest flavor explosion you get in the Hatch Chile tamale, this place will blow your epicurean doors off! And don't let the name of the place kid you: the quality doesn't stop with the tamales. Best chilaquiles I've had north of Guerrero Negro, and no matter what you order from their menu--tamales, burritos, chimichangas, etc.--don't forget their to die for rice and beans. All this, AND you can proudly take your vegan/vegetarian friends to enjoy all the flavor with you!
Raj S.
Delicious food, amazing service, clean restaurant, easy access off I5. Highly recommend it. My wife tried the two tamales, both great. I loved my wet burrito with red and green sauce with pork. The red and green salsas were delicious as well. Definitely stop by on your way through. The owner lady was so friendly, and even gave our toddler son a frog stuffed animal.
Selena H.
Wow! INCREDIBLE vegan options. And so many to choose from! I appreciate that there are so many items that come vegan that need no modification whatsoever. I love the tamales, wet burrito, and my absolute favorite are the potato flautas. Outstanding. The service is fast and efficient and the staff is warm and welcoming. The owner, Dora, makes you feel like family. This place is a gem!
L John Mattox
super delicious authentic tamales! super friendly staff preparing food that they care about.
David S.
Great friendly staff and good food. Very clean. Had the tamales "wet" enchilada style. Very good and the beans were good too.
E S.
Stopped in the way back into the US from Canada. Really yummy food. Super friendly owner!
Brenda H.
The food and service are wonderful. I moved to Bellingham from Texas and this is the most authentic Mexican food that I have come across. The Tamales are to die for. The Masa to stuffing is perfect and they are not greasy. Dora has a wonderful selection of both the typical chicken and pork Tamale, but also has a wide variety of Vegetarian and Vegan Tamales. I am a meat eater, but often opt for the spinach and mushroom or the Corn and Queso which are to die for.
Rachel W.
I've been working too much. Like really, honestly. I know a lot of people say that or whatever but ya girl is not telling tales here. So anyways I took a sick day. Cooking is also work so I didn't do that. Instead I ordered two queso/corn tamales with beans and a side salad from here and also a southwest bowl because I probably won't cook later either and ya know what I also just really wanted two entrees so here we are - and I didn't even pretend there was someone else here to help me eat both like I used to do in college, yelling "I'll get it" when the delivery driver showed up but really I lived alone. I digress: if I only ever had these refried beans ever again I'd be fine. Wow. I can't wait to tell my friend Christina about these, we have an affinity for beans. She's gonna love them. Tamales also hit the spot - love the option to make them *wet*. Loads of flavor and we're steamed to perfection. I honestly might go back to work after this cause I've been revived. Lol jk I'm gonna watch the original Jason Bourne movie and eat this amazing southwest bowl. Five stars - easily.
Sanford O.
The NM Tamale hut in Ferndale used to be one of our very favorite "dives." The tamales, especially the pork tamales with green Hatch chili sauce, were divine when fresh, and still pretty good when frozen and steamed at home. It was a very simple menu, but well worth going way out of our way to patronize them. Therefore, I was very excited when they announced their move to my Bellingham, because then we could go there far more often. Or so we hoped! But... Since their move, I have to say things have gone downhill, more than a little. All the complaints mentioned in these reviews are - so regretfully - legitimate and so sad to see. Yes, the quality has become somewhat inconsistent. Yes, the portion sizes have decreased. Yes, freshness (vital for a great tamale) is inconsistent. Yes, some added menu items have been disappointing (especially their weird-at-best molé and odd burritos). Yes, the paper plates and single-use plastic cutlery and containers are off-putting (and wasteful). Yes, the storefront and shop is unappealing. And, yes, the service can be iffy. This all can't be good for a successful business. Also, their expanded menu has been a big mistake. In Ferndale, they had the formula for great tamales down-pat - and they really delivered - but the rest of the menu pales in comparison. Most regretfully, this focus dilution and the resultant apparent decreased business, has even hurt their mainstay tamales, which are indeed much smaller and often much less fresh. I suspect that a big part of the decline is their hard-to-find new location. As the saying goes, "business is all about location, location, and location." They can be difficult to find mostly because their Meridian St. address is quite misleading: they are really located in a little strip-mall area off Westerly and Cordata, about 3 blocks west of Meridian. I'm sure many others - especially their loyal Ferndale following - have tried and given up trying to find them. Also, while they now have much more room, the environs have lost their former "cute" charm: the new store is rather drab, utilitarian, and uninviting, both inside and out. As much as I loved their tamales in the past, the net result is we've only gone to Bellingham location a few times with much less satisfying results and frankly don't feel the urge to go there anymore. So sad...
Darin R.
We were in Bellingham for the weekend and by chance discovered this restaurant in a travel magazine. So happy we did. It was very very delicious. We order the chips and salsa, the verde polsole and a chicken tamale and a hatch pork tamale. We are from South California, so we have a little experience with eating tamale and Mexican food. The salsas were flavorful and had a nice level of heat. The polsole was delicious and could have been a meal in itself. The tamales were outstanding. The masa was moist and very flavorful. Both of the fillings had tons of flavors. They also have a great beer selection. I wish I lived closer, because I would be here all of the time. Enjoy.
So wonderful to have a vegan (and delicious) option for eating out. No matter what kind of food you enjoy the Sante Fe tamales will hit the spot.
Adria Vizzi Holub
New Mexico Tamale Company cares about their clients (including their vegans)! Today I wanted to try their vegan "Zia" (cactus) tamale with vegan rice and beans. I ordered it to go and took it straight home to enjoy for dinner. When I opened it, I saw that there was cheese on my beans and a cream dressing on my salad. I called their number to ask if the cheese and dressing were a vegan version (since I cannot have dairy). The owner, Dora, answered the phone and confirmed I had received an incorrect order. I was ready to take it back and pick up a re-fire, but she *insisted* on bringing it to me herself! She said she values her vegan customers!!! When she arrived, she showed me a few more vegan goodies she had popped into my bag for good measure. Dora is an absolute sweetheart. I can tell she takes great pride in her business, and is a perfectionist in the kitchen! The food was spicy and full of flavor (not just "hot"), and I am happy to report that I like cactus (I had never tried it before). With their delicious food and outstanding customer service, I highly recommend giving this *local* restaurant your business--especially if you are vegan.
Bob and Rosemary E.
Dora, the Owner, was so gracious as was the young lady that took our order. Both were very helpful in explaining the ingredients of each tamale. We had the spinach, chorizo, chicken red Chile and pork red Chile tamales, rice, beans, their medium-hot salsa and the avocado crema. Everything was delicious!!! I grew up in New Mexico and Mom would use nothing but chili from Hatch when making tamales. I would say that Dora's tamales stand up to Mom's.
Brett C.
Awesome. What more needs to be said? Ordered the pork tamales with green chili salsa. To die for. There's a reason this holds some "best of" awards. Order lunch, and buy a half dozen more for the freezer. Buy some of those chilis too!
Madeline W.
I brought my friends here today hoping they would love it as much as I do... and they agreed this is the new go to spot! The vegan options are absolutely amazing and they say their chicken meals are very delicious as well. So f***ing good! The picture is from my last visit as we were too excited to let the phone eat first today! can't wait to make my way thru this menu:)
I've hunted down and eaten tamales from Mexico City to (now) the Canadian border, and I swear you won't find better (and healthier) homemade tamales anywhere. From the chorizo tamale (cooked with the owner's own chorizo seasoning) to the southwest flavor explosion you get in the Hatch Chile tamale, this place will blow your epicurean doors off! And don't let the name of the place kid you: the quality doesn't stop with the tamales. Best chilaquiles I've had north of Guerrero Negro, and no matter what you order from their menu--tamales, burritos, chimichangas, etc.--don't forget their to die for rice and beans. All this, AND you can proudly take your vegan/vegetarian friends to enjoy all the flavor with you!
Delicious food, amazing service, clean restaurant, easy access off I5. Highly recommend it. My wife tried the two tamales, both great. I loved my wet burrito with red and green sauce with pork. The red and green salsas were delicious as well. Definitely stop by on your way through. The owner lady was so friendly, and even gave our toddler son a frog stuffed animal.
Wow! INCREDIBLE vegan options. And so many to choose from! I appreciate that there are so many items that come vegan that need no modification whatsoever. I love the tamales, wet burrito, and my absolute favorite are the potato flautas. Outstanding. The service is fast and efficient and the staff is warm and welcoming. The owner, Dora, makes you feel like family. This place is a gem!
super delicious authentic tamales! super friendly staff preparing food that they care about.
Great friendly staff and good food. Very clean. Had the tamales "wet" enchilada style. Very good and the beans were good too.
Stopped in the way back into the US from Canada. Really yummy food. Super friendly owner!
The food and service are wonderful. I moved to Bellingham from Texas and this is the most authentic Mexican food that I have come across. The Tamales are to die for. The Masa to stuffing is perfect and they are not greasy. Dora has a wonderful selection of both the typical chicken and pork Tamale, but also has a wide variety of Vegetarian and Vegan Tamales. I am a meat eater, but often opt for the spinach and mushroom or the Corn and Queso which are to die for.
I've been working too much. Like really, honestly. I know a lot of people say that or whatever but ya girl is not telling tales here. So anyways I took a sick day. Cooking is also work so I didn't do that. Instead I ordered two queso/corn tamales with beans and a side salad from here and also a southwest bowl because I probably won't cook later either and ya know what I also just really wanted two entrees so here we are - and I didn't even pretend there was someone else here to help me eat both like I used to do in college, yelling "I'll get it" when the delivery driver showed up but really I lived alone. I digress: if I only ever had these refried beans ever again I'd be fine. Wow. I can't wait to tell my friend Christina about these, we have an affinity for beans. She's gonna love them. Tamales also hit the spot - love the option to make them *wet*. Loads of flavor and we're steamed to perfection. I honestly might go back to work after this cause I've been revived. Lol jk I'm gonna watch the original Jason Bourne movie and eat this amazing southwest bowl. Five stars - easily.
The NM Tamale hut in Ferndale used to be one of our very favorite "dives." The tamales, especially the pork tamales with green Hatch chili sauce, were divine when fresh, and still pretty good when frozen and steamed at home. It was a very simple menu, but well worth going way out of our way to patronize them. Therefore, I was very excited when they announced their move to my Bellingham, because then we could go there far more often. Or so we hoped! But... Since their move, I have to say things have gone downhill, more than a little. All the complaints mentioned in these reviews are - so regretfully - legitimate and so sad to see. Yes, the quality has become somewhat inconsistent. Yes, the portion sizes have decreased. Yes, freshness (vital for a great tamale) is inconsistent. Yes, some added menu items have been disappointing (especially their weird-at-best molé and odd burritos). Yes, the paper plates and single-use plastic cutlery and containers are off-putting (and wasteful). Yes, the storefront and shop is unappealing. And, yes, the service can be iffy. This all can't be good for a successful business. Also, their expanded menu has been a big mistake. In Ferndale, they had the formula for great tamales down-pat - and they really delivered - but the rest of the menu pales in comparison. Most regretfully, this focus dilution and the resultant apparent decreased business, has even hurt their mainstay tamales, which are indeed much smaller and often much less fresh. I suspect that a big part of the decline is their hard-to-find new location. As the saying goes, "business is all about location, location, and location." They can be difficult to find mostly because their Meridian St. address is quite misleading: they are really located in a little strip-mall area off Westerly and Cordata, about 3 blocks west of Meridian. I'm sure many others - especially their loyal Ferndale following - have tried and given up trying to find them. Also, while they now have much more room, the environs have lost their former "cute" charm: the new store is rather drab, utilitarian, and uninviting, both inside and out. As much as I loved their tamales in the past, the net result is we've only gone to Bellingham location a few times with much less satisfying results and frankly don't feel the urge to go there anymore. So sad...
We were in Bellingham for the weekend and by chance discovered this restaurant in a travel magazine. So happy we did. It was very very delicious. We order the chips and salsa, the verde polsole and a chicken tamale and a hatch pork tamale. We are from South California, so we have a little experience with eating tamale and Mexican food. The salsas were flavorful and had a nice level of heat. The polsole was delicious and could have been a meal in itself. The tamales were outstanding. The masa was moist and very flavorful. Both of the fillings had tons of flavors. They also have a great beer selection. I wish I lived closer, because I would be here all of the time. Enjoy.
Restaurantji Recommends
So wonderful to have a vegan (and delicious) option for eating out. No matter what kind of food you enjoy the Sante Fe tamales will hit the spot.
New Mexico Tamale Company cares about their clients (including their vegans)! Today I wanted to try their vegan "Zia" (cactus) tamale with vegan rice and beans. I ordered it to go and took it straight home to enjoy for dinner. When I opened it, I saw that there was cheese on my beans and a cream dressing on my salad. I called their number to ask if the cheese and dressing were a vegan version (since I cannot have dairy). The owner, Dora, answered the phone and confirmed I had received an incorrect order. I was ready to take it back and pick up a re-fire, but she *insisted* on bringing it to me herself! She said she values her vegan customers!!! When she arrived, she showed me a few more vegan goodies she had popped into my bag for good measure. Dora is an absolute sweetheart. I can tell she takes great pride in her business, and is a perfectionist in the kitchen! The food was spicy and full of flavor (not just "hot"), and I am happy to report that I like cactus (I had never tried it before). With their delicious food and outstanding customer service, I highly recommend giving this *local* restaurant your business--especially if you are vegan.
Dora, the Owner, was so gracious as was the young lady that took our order. Both were very helpful in explaining the ingredients of each tamale. We had the spinach, chorizo, chicken red Chile and pork red Chile tamales, rice, beans, their medium-hot salsa and the avocado crema. Everything was delicious!!! I grew up in New Mexico and Mom would use nothing but chili from Hatch when making tamales. I would say that Dora's tamales stand up to Mom's.
Awesome. What more needs to be said? Ordered the pork tamales with green chili salsa. To die for. There's a reason this holds some "best of" awards. Order lunch, and buy a half dozen more for the freezer. Buy some of those chilis too!
I brought my friends here today hoping they would love it as much as I do... and they agreed this is the new go to spot! The vegan options are absolutely amazing and they say their chicken meals are very delicious as well. So f***ing good! The picture is from my last visit as we were too excited to let the phone eat first today! can't wait to make my way thru this menu:)