A few days ago, I received the following message from a friend in my email which piqued my interest:

I was thinking….I don’t know if you have been there…its a little cozy place that sells “tamales” and “Atole” in the cafe des artists street, passing Pipi’s restaurant. The lady owner is very nice, very folkloric spot. You could integrate it in to your space.

Nearly seven years in Vallarta and I couldn’t ever remember seeing a tamale place in town. A good tamale is a great food. I needed to go. Discovering where the tamale place has been hiding made it to the top of to-do list. At the first chance, I took the bus downtown to find the tamales.

Maria Candelaria, the tamale place is not hard to find. It has been right under my nose for the last four years. It’s on the corner of Guadalupe Sanchez and Allende streets only one block from Pipi’s restaurant one of the best known tourist restaurants in Vallarta.

I ordered two tamales: a traditional one made pork in red sauce and a not so traditional one made with basil and mozzarella. Both were excellent. To drink, I ordered a pineapple flavored atole. Atole to me is like drinking hot baby food. It doesn’t sound very good but it really tasted wonderful, very comforting.

The owner graciously let me take pictures of her and the staff making the tamales. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask her name. They serve an extensive variety of tamales including six vegetarian options.

Prices for the tamales range from $10 to $13 pesos each. For under four dollars you will be stuffed. Maria Candelaria is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 4:00pm and the 6:00pm to 10:00pm.

Maria Candelaria is a mandatory restaurant to visit while in Vallarta. The food and the atmosphere make it a truly special, Mexican experience.

It’s easy to find. It’s on the corner of Guadalupe Sanchez street and Allende street in Downtown Puerto Vallarta. The map below shows you how to get there.

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Another favorite in Puerto Vallarta – El Carboncito Tacos