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Welcome to Emma’s Tamales

At Emma's Tamales, located in the heart of Sacramento, we embrace the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine while catering to diverse dietary preferences. Our story begins with a passion for authentic tamales, made from the freshest ingredients, including both vegan and vegetarian options. Each tamale reflects our commitment to quality and taste, whether it’s the spicy Jalapeño Cheese or our signature Pineapple Gluten-Free delight. Our cozy space fosters a warm atmosphere, where friendly staff ensure an exceptional experience. With a dedication to serving hearty, flavorful dishes, Emma's Tamales invites you to taste the love in every bite!

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Emma’s Tamales

Nestled in the heart of Old Sacramento, Emma’s Tamales is a delightful gem that brings a vibrant taste of Mexico to the bustling streets of California. This charming eatery specializes in vegetarian, vegan, and meat-based tamales, ensuring that there's a little something for everyone. Located at 1100 Front St Suite 130, Sacramento, CA, Emma’s not only caters to dietary preferences but also showcases the rich flavors of traditional and modern Mexican cuisine. For a quick inquiry, you can reach them at (916) 942-9147.

Menu Highlights

Emma’s Tamales is more than just a restaurant; it’s a hub for culinary exploration. Among their standout offerings, the tamales are particularly noteworthy:

  • Red Chili Chicken: A savory delight with only 200 calories, it's a testament to the art of simple flavor.
  • Jalapeño Cheese Tamale: Spicy and robust, this favorite among customers strikes the perfect balance between heat and flavor.
  • Mother Earth’s Vegan Hot Food: With options like Chipotle Tofu Veggie and Vegan Enchiladas, vegans need not worry about missing out on taste.
  • Seafood Tamale: A delicious mix of crab, shrimp, and scallops that elevate the taste experience to new heights.

Customer Experience

Many patrons have praised the atmosphere at Emma’s as cozy and inviting. The outdoor seating allows for excellent people-watching while enjoying flavorful tamales. Reviewers frequently highlight the friendly and helpful staff, particularly a standout employee named Kalam, whose enthusiasm and customer service shine brightly in this small establishment.

The charming ambience, combined with an unwavering commitment to quality, makes Emma’s Tamales a must-visit. Whether you're here for lunch, a snack, or planning to take some tamales home (which can be enjoyed fresh for hours), you won't leave disappointed.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Emma’s Tamales stands out not just for its delicious tamales but also for its dedication to customer satisfaction and inclusivity in menu offerings. If you find yourself in Old Sacramento, do yourself a favor and drop by this culinary oasis. The vibrant flavors and welcoming atmosphere are sure to leave a lasting impression.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Emma’s Tamales
Sophia D.
Sophia D.

Emma's tamales are very good my favorite was the jalapeno and cheese tamale spicy and a perfect flavor, Kalam is an amazing worker very kind knowledgeable and a great personality I would come back based on this employees very helpful nature if you're in old sac stop by and give Emma's Tamales a try they do not disappoint they have meat seafood cheese jalapeno vegan options and gluten free as well.

M
M

Great quality good variety with vegan options Great customer service. Love the pineapple raisin tamale.

Triana S.
Triana S.

We tried a bunch of tamales * Red Chili Chicken * Green Chili Chicken * Seafood * Blackhead * Jalapeño Cheese Tamales were served with fork, butter knife, napkins & hot or mild salsa. My spouse & I shared them all. My favorites were the Jalapeño Cheese & Seafood. My spouses favorite was the Red Chili Chicken & Seafood. He said the Jalapeño Cheese had to much kick so not for those who don't like heat. They have bottled beverages or 2 inhouse drinks. The lady working was very friendly & helpful when making selections. The resturant itself is small but there's tables & benches outside to sit; first come first serve style.. They sell prepackaged tamales to go & they're good for about 3 hrs before they have to be refrigerated. Give them a try!!

Courtney O.
Courtney O.

While in Old Sac last Friday, my husband and I decided to pick up some tamales to bring home. I'm happy to report that we have been eating them for lunch all week! We ordered a pack of the Jalapeno and Cheese and a pack of the Chicken - both were very tasty and packed with flavor. If you like spicy, you would definitely like the Jalapeno and Cheese option. Emma's is a little hole in the wall, with no seats inside, but the outside has tables that are perfect for people watching and just enjoying the sights and sounds of Old Sac. There was only 1 employee working when we stopped in and she was hustling while making another customer's order, but she acknowledged us multiple times and thanked us for being patient - which to me, goes a long way. Check them out if you're in the area and craving some tamales - I also saw hot dogs and some other yummy items on their menu. We'll definitely be back!

Stefanie B.
Stefanie B.

I am from SoCal so good Mexican food is plentiful. The tamales were good, but not best I've ever had. I didn't like paying $1 for a tiny tbsp of sour cream. I thought that was ridiculous. The woman working there was super nice and very friendly. I also ordered their green tea. It was good but needed a touch more stevia. The salsa was not flavorful. Again it was a TINY amount of pico de gallo. I sat outside which was nice. It was my first time to old Sac.