You’re not having a true Texas holiday if there are no tamales at your table. The Lone Star State has a rich history of Mexican-American culture, and tamales are a beloved and deeply ingrained part of that heritage. Several restaurants around town are making the tamaladas easier with options available for you to get your holiday fix. One spot in south Austin is bringing that heritage to the forefront of our holiday celebrations.
Mi Ranchito
Mi Ranchito is serving traditional and innovative flavors. The gift they bring us are their tamales wrapped in corn husks. Each tamale has its own special flavor integrated into the soft and light homemade masa.
Their meat options demonstrate the amount of care this family-owned joint puts into the food they serve. Whether you order the pork or the chicken option, the shredded meats are cooked to tender in guajillo chili sauce or the tomatillo sauce respectively. If you like it hot, you could top the tamales off with the spicy avocado sauce. Wanting something sweet? The strawberry and sweet potato tamales are hearty and filling, both flavors reminiscent of Mesoamerican culture. Mi Ranchito also serves jalapeño and cheese; bean and cheese; and vegetarian tamales.
The restaurant has been open since 2004, but recently moved down the road from its original spot at 1105 FM 1626 to 817 FM 1626. The new location is as welcoming as the family gatherings you attend during this season. Wreaths, warm yellow lights and bows decorate the outside. A whiff of the food hits you as you walk into the restaurant. The sauce bar by the entrance is fully equipped with salsas like roasted tomatillo, creamy poblano, mild salsa, as well as vegetables and limes to add to your plate…