The Original Tamale Co.

"You can tell that tamal season is here by the long lines at the shop in front of a 10,000 square-foot tamal factory on Van Nuys Boulevard, at the beginning of Pacoima’s Chicano restaurant row. Old school Mexican-American flavors of green and red salsas fuel a range of fillings from meats, pineapple, chile, and cheese, to sweet corn and vegetarian that satisfy their San Fernando Valley customers, as well as tamal lovers nationwide." - Bill Esparza

"Located in Pacoima, this award-winning shop (they’ve won top honors at the LA and Indio tamale festivals) is one of the most popular tamale brands in town. But despite that—and its massive, 10,000 square-foot factory—Me Gusta Gourmet is still very much a family-run, roadside tamale shop with a convenient takeout window. As for the tamales themselves, expect traditional varieties like beef, pork, chicken, pineapple, and cheese, and expect them all to be delicious." - brant cox, sylvio martins

"Located in Pacoima, this award-winning shop (they’ve won top honors at the LA and Indio tamale festivals) is one of the most popular tamale brands in town. But despite that - and its massive, 10,000 square-foot factory - Me Gusta Gourmet is still very much a family-run, roadside tamale shop. Its takeout window in Pacoima is quick, easy, and entirely outside - particularly ideal during a pandemic. As for the tamales themselves, expect traditional varieties like beef, pork, chicken, pineapple, and cheese, and expect them all to be delicious." - Brant Cox