Chalita's Tamales

I found the little gem just driving around. I love me some tamales. The cheese and jalapeño tamales were big an full of slabs of Mexican cheese. They will make beef tamales for you if you call in a day or two ahead. The tamales are a little bit more expensive but definitely worth it for the quality. You can taste the love in them. I definitely recommend you check this place out. Take out or sit in your car and eat them.

The food was so bland and dry. I hope they can get better cooks because this food was so bad. Muchas gracias has better tasting in flavor and that’s saying something. They have to get their beans from a can and their rice is made just with tomato sauce for the color. Don’t waste your money or time here.

Delicious fresh handmade Tamales. I love that it has less masa, and sauce is so tasty. Service was wonderful!

This is the most authentic, best tasting tamales in all of the Vancouver/Portland Metro area, especially the Rajas with green sauce. I will drive miles for these. Just a food cart though, so no particular "atmosphere" other than friendly quick service.

The moment you see this place you know, either heaven or hell. Either this place will be the answer to your dreams, or a one way ticket to disappointment city. It's small, the tiny home answer to culinary perfection. Just enough room for two people to create magic and then, only if they know each other extremely well. They were friendly, approachable, and confident in their service as only masters of an art form can be. I got two Pork Tamales to go, just to test the waters so to speak and brought them home in a little zip lock bag. When I cracked the seal on that ever lovin little bag, the aroma that came wafting out was nothing short of nirvana. They were, the best two Tamales I have ever had. It is one of those special little spots that can fit right into your life like a favorite hat, or the old jacket that you wear nearly every day. I can see Chalita's becoming part of a rhythm of life. as essential as coffee or your favorite radio station (in my case NPR). This is what I am always looking for. Food made with love and passion. Food with depth and feeling. They seemed proud and deserved to be proud.

Great Tamales! I had all of them (Chicken, Pork and Cheese) and they are very flavorful. I am so glad to find this place and will go back 100%.

Drove by so many times, finally stopped and ordered each flavor tamale and loved all. So many tamales are 60% masa but these are perfect balance of filling and masa.

I have been getting tamales here for about 1 year now and always enjoyed them.

Dropped the kids off at the mall and then walked around. Eventually got hungry and hit the food court. It's on its way out back to the spot next to the gas station on 78th...I had seen it there but not tried until today. Got the single tamale with rice and beans. The tamale definitely needed more pork in it. I've read now on Yelp that they can be hit and miss with the amount of filling, so my first experience was KIND OF a miss. With more meat, this is a 5 star tamale. I'm giving 4 stars for now, because everything else about the plate was awesome. The rice and beans with the cheese were great. The tamale was flavorful but again, needed more filling. A sneaky surprise was the red sauce which I ordered two of (I typically always get hot sauce when available, as I like spicy foods). The red sauce was PHENOMENAL. I'm somewhat of a hot sauce addict and this was just oh so goooooood. Really looking forward to trying again in the future...I just hope there's more meat next time!

tasty and fast!! I just wanted a quick bite, ordered two chicken, told myself to eat one but I scarfed them both down. SO GOOD I've had them before because sometimes my husband will pick up a dozen or so but I've never had them served with all the sauces and ready to eat like that. I was missing out all this time!!

Like someone mentioned below, we had a Christmas Eve dinner of delicious masa. The tamales that we pre-ordered for Christmas had about a teaspoon of meat each. Sauce is delicious but even our 6 year old commented on how "skinny" these were. A big rip off, considering the drive to this location from camas, and the cost. We will not be ordering from here again.

Got the Chalita's plate, chose 1 pork and 1 chicken tamale. They weren't busy so got the order in minutes. Tamales on point, the green and avocado sauce so yummm! They're open M-F 10am to 5pm. Closed weekends. Easy to pull in and out of gas station parking lot. Highly recommend!

This place is great! The service is sweet and kind. The food is so good! I've tried all the tamales here and not a bad one in the bunch. I highly recommend this place!

So, today I am on Vancouver, I have finished work and I think I deserve some food, I am hungry. This is the second time I am in this city so I don't know a thing about it, so I search for a place to eat. I see 5 stars on a local, I am skeptical when I see a 5 star anything. With that in mind I go to this place and first of all this is a take out place only! Wow, and 5 stars anyway. I order 4 tamales, 2 pork and 2 chicken, this is to take home. Then I order #3 from the menu, 1 y pork tamal with rice and beans. It's delicious, the tamal is hand made. There is a person inside making them!!! The flavor is superb, the seasoning is perfect; the rice is Mexican rice and then you have the frijoles. I haven't tasted frijoles so flavorful, they are great This is a small maybe 12' by 12' building with a service window with a small sign attached to the front, so be very careful you may miss it!

2023 is sadly a huge disappointment. This is our Christmas Day meal. 18 tamales- all flat as a pancake with maybe a tablespoon of meat. It makes me sad on so many levels. We prefer to support small businesses, but at &3.50 each we could have done better at Chipotle. Too late now to recover from this year's Christmas disaster. If you have preordered like us, plan on plenty of side dishes. The tamales will definitely not constitute the usual main course. So sad. They should be embarrassed for sure. Next year will find us looking for a new source.

I never knew all i needed in life to be happy was tamales. But this place offers such amazing flavors behind such a sweet smile. Its a must try

Long flight from Indy to Portland and needed something quick before my meeting. Chalita's had great reviews and it was on the way. I stood in the pouring rain to get my tamales and it was worth every pelting rain drop. Delicious flavors, hefty portion, cheap price, incredible service. Could have used a little more pork in the tamales, but the flavors made up for it. Other reviews are right, pork is better than chicken. Will definitely be back for more!!!

Go Green! At this tiny tamale outpost at a gas station, the Green Tomatillo Sauce and Avocado Sauce (also green) really make me want to go, go, go green on more than just special days. The chicken tamales are great. The pork tamales are better. Both are awesome and reasonably priced at Chalita's. You basically have to choose the meat ... and then the sauce. If this wasn't clear before, I'm recommending the "green" sauce. Chalita's Plate ($6.50 - 5 stars) Two terrific Tamales covered in a slightly-spicy Green Tomatillo Sauce and a creamy Avocado Sauce plus stripes of Sour Cream and chunks of Cojita Cheese. It's truly worthy of carrying the name of the business. Chala's Plate ($6.50 4.5 stars) It's also a pair of Tamales, Avocado Sauce, Sour Cream, and Cojita Cheese, but with a Red Tomato Sauce. It's a tasty and colorful choice, but I just like the green a little bit more. No matter what you choose (pork/chicken or red/green), I got no complaints with Chalita's Tamales. In addition, I also got a new reason to update my personal list of dates to go green: * Earth Day * St. Patrick's Day * 4/20 * Every day at Chalita's Tamales

Straight up, you lookin' for some homemade tamales, Vancouver? Then LETS! DO! CHALITA'S TAMALES! This was my... 6th time to Chalita's? I keep coming back because their homemade tamales hit just right after work. It's really as simple as that. This magic tamale shed safety stores the two tamale masters inside. The little building is outside the Shell station (East side) on 76th and St Johns. My biggest thanks to the ladies who are making the tamales here until I believe 6pm most nights of the week. They're always friendly and fast! Even when there are 3 groups ahead of me, I've placed and gotten my order in under 10mins. You yet your tamales in the classic corn husk wrapper and in a ziplock bag inside a plastic take out bag. The inconspicuous shed has plenty of parking behind the Shell station. As of 8/2021 the tamales I've tried are chicken and pork. The pork with red sauce is my favorite by far! The chicken is slightly drier, as is my history with chicken tamales, so I don't hold that in bad company. The people with red sauce shine. They also offer plates of tamales with sides, but I've yet to have them. Yet. The tamales have a solid core of meat and sauce and are always perfectly and almost evenly thick surrounding of corn meal. The soft, freshly steamed corn hold moisture well and have consistently been moist and fresh. The pork interior can be lacking without the red sauce, so make sure to ask for sauce! The sauce comes inside, which can be a little confusing. The sauce isn't plentiful and is contained in the tamale perfectly. Like a beautiful little corn and pork package. The pork and red sauce tamale is delicious and 3 is perfect for a dinner with a side salad. You can also get additional sauce for some change, and why not, the sauce is delicious! If you want some fast, homemade tamales in Vancouver you absolutely must try Chalita's. $

Amazing chicken tamales!! Moist, good flavor not spicy and not too thick. I will be back and this will be my go to tamale place.

I've thought about driving the hour and a half to get to Portland, just for these Tamales. I didn't know what to expect, given the location and overall setup, but this was phenomenal. Every other tamale I've ever had pales to these.

I tried their Vancouver Mall location and enjoyed the very inexpensive tamales. To top it off, the service was pleasant and fast.

These are the best tamales I have ever had 5 stars for sure! Yumm! Support local businesses!

Tasty little spot! Got the #5 with two pork and one chicken tamales--preferred the chicken but both were tasty. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area and want something for lunch beyond the standard fast food options.

Best Tamales in the entire area. Chalita makes fresh every day. We had 6 Chicken (pollo) and 6 Pork (carnitas) although she make other kinds too. We understand she also makes the special Christmas style sweet tamales in season. As of now, $20 / dozen .. very reasonable considering the great fresh quality!!! The location is a bit odd on the side of the Shell station. (Right there at the corner of 78th and St. John's). You can't miss it though. We just drive up park the car pretty much anywhere and get great service. This lady has a great demeanor and smiling face ..a very sweet person.

Great tamales!!! Can't decide if I like chicken or pork better! Great location too! Friendly staff.

Chalita's Tamales Tamales made daily! So fresh & oh so good! I love Chalita's Tamales. Location is detached at Shell gas station, facing St. John's Road, & best for orders to go! Go up to the window and get your fresh made tamales! Yum!

referred by word of mouth and i am not disappointed! these are delicious. we tried one of each. the meat tamales have the meat stewed in a red sauce prior to being stuffed into the masa. got some green sauce on top. they were really tasty - and moist. next time we pick some up, i'll pay for extra sauce, as i like things saucy and the tomatillo sauce is 100%. i just wish there was an option to have the meats stewed in a green sauce....maybe in the future?

We love Chalita's and rely on her for holiday meals. I moved to the PNW from California and I know what tamales are supposed to taste like. Authentic Mexican food is hard to come by up here, so I was delighted to discover Chalita's. There's not too much masa and the filling is just enough.

Best tamales I've ever had amazing. She is so sweet and kind. Home made, great flavor. The texture is rich and creamy.

Best tamales around! Don't let this little "hole in the wall" place fool you...yes I know, it's at a gas station...BUT THE FOOD PACKS A PUNCH!!! Just try it and see for yourself. You won't be disappointed

Mother and daughter team. Both are delightful and make amazing tamales. Red & green sauces are both fantastic.

The absolute BEST tamales in this area. Seriously they never disappoint. I've met people who say they don't like tamales had them try these and now they love tamales!

I grabbed tamales from here recently and was satisfied with the texture, taste, and price. The masa was just right... not dry and not too thick. I will be going back!

Oh man these are hands down the best tamales I've had in awhile go and check this place out as I like to say bomb.com

Recently moved from Chicago and miss the authentic Mexican food there. I stumbled upon this place and was so glad I did. The best tamales! I love having them for breakfast with a cup of coffee. I had both pork and chicken. I prefer the pork but they are both delicious with the homemade salsa. I will definitely be a frequent visitor.

I absolutely love this place, super good tamales and super friendly ladies. You definitely can't beat the price, just be sure to preorder or risk missing out when you're in the mood for delicious tamales.

Just had one of Chalita's tamales this morning (a vegetarian/chile relleno one) and it was out of this world!

Best and probably the only authentic tamales in Vancouver. Great prices too! If you love tamales you need to check this place out. Yumm!

Without a doubt the best tamales I've found in the area, by far! She does an excellent job with balancing the ratio of meat/filling & maza - so they're not dry & you can taste the filling. Meat is seasoned very well! I love getting her #1 on the menu - its basically 2 tamales unwrapped, then smothered in like a salsa verse, & topped with creamy avocado salsa, sour cream & crumbled Cojita cheese I'm guessing. Its SOOO GOOD!!!!

Very good tamales and very nice people. I would highly recommend to go very fresh tamales. Also it 24 dollars for a dozen not 20 like i saw in a review.

Lucky to have had the opportunity to try a few varieties of Chalita's Tamales this morning, they are incredibly well seasoned, perfect texture - absolutely delicious!!!

their tamales were okay. the rice wasn't that good and I seen a fat roach just swarming around their windows.

My favorite tamales in the local area. I get the chelas plate or Chalita's plate, which comes with red or green sauce and cheese. So yummy.

WOW! A coworker brought these tamales in for our teaching staff and I was beyond impressed. The freshness, flavor and consistency is on point. My only regret is not getting to eat MORE! I will definitely be a returning customer. Muchas gracias Chalita!!! :) Carmen

The best tamales I've had in Vancouver. Chalita provided the staff at my middle school tamales for a special occasion and it was the best special lunch i'd had all year! I had a sweet tamale and a chicken tamale. I can't wait to visit her location and buy them!

Seriously amazing, authentic. From the actual tamales, the beans, to the salsa, this place is a 10. We bought lunch and a dozen to take home. Give it a try, it won't disappoint!

We are in love with Chalita's Tamales! The pork and red tamales have the best masa and the meat to masa ratio is great. Other places might get the masa right, but there is not enough meat. Not so at Chalita's. She definitely makes the best tamales I have had in this area for the past 25 years. My favorite thing about Chalita's Tamales is the tamales are still warm when you pick them so you can eat one in the car on the way home. I recommend buying a dozen.

We discovered this place while waiting at a red light. It is on the side of a gas station. My husband spotted the sign. They make the tamales fresh daily. They are nice and tender and wonderful. My husband is a native Texan. He loves tamales. I can almost guess what he is going to have if the menu has a tamale on it. He loves Chalita's tamales. Need I say more?

Chalita's Tamales went out of the way to provide delicious tamales for our school staff with late notice. I haven't always been a fan of tamales, but I am now a changed woman. These are honestly the best tamales I've ever had. Every flavor was to die for. I know exactly where I will go if I need a delicious tamale! Thank you!

Amazing authentic tamales. $20/12 can't beat the price. Options of pork and chicken, red or green sauce. So delicious. Haven't had a tamale in Vancouver that compares. Will definitely be back!!

We've been waiting for this place! Bought a dozen yesterday and it was all we could do to put half in the freezer for another day. Not sure if the price is good or bad but beats driving to Hillsboro like we were doing before to get our fix.

The tamales here taste amazing and for such a great price. I've had the chicken tamales and I will definitely be going back for more and trying other flavors soon.