Tamales can be traced back to as early as 7000 B.C. in Pre-Columbian history, when the Aztec women were taken along in battle as cooks for the army. They made the masa for the tortillas, stews, drinks, etc. But as the warring tribes of the Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures grew, there was a need to have a more portable yet sustainable food and the tamales could be made ahead of time, packed and warmed as needed. This requirement demanded the creativity of the women and the tamale was born. Continue reading →
The famous tamale shop in Dallas is moving its digs. Look for la Popular to move to its sister restaurant, Peak and Elm located at 123 N. Peak in East Dallas this February. The lease at 5004 Columbia is up and rather than renew the owners decided to consolidate locations.
The Peak location is home to Peak and Elm, which is a popular Mexican restaurant. The Moreno family is expanding the kitchen to make room for the tamale assembly line, and will continue to offer tamales for pick up as they have done in the past at the Columbia shop. Continue reading →
Today we visit with the absolute giants in the tamale industry, La Popular. The Tamale House has gained a reputation for not only making quality tamales year round, but also takes pride in giving back to the community as we will find out with this Q&A with both Jesse Moreno Sr. and Jr. at La Popular.
La Popular is one of the most respected tamale makers in Dallas and for a good reason. The tamale continually makes the top of any best tamale list since they opened in 1984. There are currently two locations for La Popular, one in the Lakewood area and the other in Shed #1 at the Dallas Farmers Market. You ma pick up fresh, hot tamales for the holidays at either location, even on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
Jump to join the conversation with the Moreno family. Continue reading →
La Popular Tamale House located in the Lakewood area and also in Shed 2 at the Dallas Farmers Market has long been praised on craveDFW as one of the best tamales in Dallas. The family owned business opened in 1984 and has been a valued part of the community since. The restaurant is operated by the father and son tag team Jesse Sr. and Jesse Jr. Moreno who both spend time making tamales and giving back to the community through their valued contributions to the city. Continue reading →
The Moreno family, who owns several locations of La Popular Tamale House, have decided to open a Mexican restaurant in East Dallas in the growing artsy district at Peak and Elm. In fact, the new restaurant will be called Peak and Elm Cocina and Bar.
The new restaurant has been under construction with great attention for detail to the existing space. The restaurant sits on what was formerly the street car line, and just across the street once housed the street cars at the end of their run through East Dallas. For this reason Jesse Moreno says he plans on bringing one of the original cars to the back patio area for private dining. Continue reading →
by Steven Doyle
