Ever since leaving Austin, the only place I bother eating tamales is in all cities, Queen, NY (https://www.yelp.com/biz/yolandas-tamales-new-york?sort_by=date_desc). Otherwise, the "tamales" in the DC area are so MID. The tamales around here are of the Central American variety and, they're fine. But sometime they're steamed in a square shape and wrapped in a banana leaf. Of if you can find an "authentic" Mexican style tamale wrapped in a corn husk, they're something off about the Masa to filling ratio as well as the flavor profile with the DC versions often being too sweet requiring them to be drenched in some type of sauce. That's why when I'm back in TX, I load up on bbq and tamales. I was told by all the locals in the greater McAllen / Edinburg area that Delia's makes the best tamales...and they were right! Delia's is a local chain with outposts around the Rio Grande Valley. I visited a few of them, and they're all quite similar. The interior is more reminiscent of 1990's style fast food with basic plastic booths with a few older style tables/chairs. The lightning is dim florescent, with muted dull color tones. But you're here for the food, not the decor. I ordered six of the spicy pork and six of the bean/cheese/jalapeno flavors. Awww man, can I tell you...these were ah-mazing! They arrived wrapped in foil and steaming hot. Unwrap each one, and the texture of the masa is soft without being mushy. And the filling of the meat as well as the veggie varieties are perfectly spiced without being overly salty. Do yourself a favor and get the "green salsa." It's a mix of guac and salsa Verde. All you have to know, is the green salsa pairs so well with the tamales. Just kind of bummed that post-COVID, the self-service salsa bar is now closed. I asked one of the employees about this, and she mentioned it's highly unlikely it will ever return. I obviously couldn't eat all 12 in one sitting, so I took the majority back to the hotel, where I enjoyed them for lunch over the next few days. I even stopped in here before my flight back to DC and immediately froze a bunch for reheating in the next few months. Fast friendly service, and loved how there was a lady out in the dining room, demonstrating the art of working the masa, and then individually filling and then wrapping each tamale...by HAND! I was sure to drop in a few bucks in the tip jar, since you should acknowledge all the work required to produce a quality product at such affordable prices.

Love there tamales n my son also. I been going to Delia's for years n that's the only place I go get tamales. My favorite r bean n cheese , chicken n cheese, n pork

Tamales for days! Everyone who knows tamales knows about Delia's. We got here just before closing one evening, and they were out of a lot of their usual options. That did not deter us! Everything had to be purchased by at least the half dozen, and warmed. Challenge accepted! We got half a dozen of the sweet cheese dessert tamales, half a dozen of the spicy chicken, and half a dozen of the bean and cheese. When we got to work and offered tamales to our local team they declined initially. When we said we got them from Delia's they changed their tune! Needless to say, the tamales were delicious and I can't wait to try other options in the future!

Had the menudo for the first time. It was actually really good. Not too greasy and flavorful. Of course i had to get some tamales to go. Come Check them out if youre new or travelling thru McAllen, you wont be disappointed.

You can't visit the valley without stopping at delias! The tamales are AMAZING. They are made fresh daily and melt In your mouth! There are a wide variety of flavors. So everyone in the family can find something they will like! I suggest ordering multiple and sharing with others to try as many as possible. My person favorite were the spicy chicken and cheese, the chicken is shredded and melts in your mouth. Second I liked the cream cheese, bean and jalapeño. The salsas are spicy but have a delicious flavor. Make sure you stop here and take some home to family and friends they will never stop thanking you!