La Unica Tortilleria: Lufkin

The reviews were all positive for this Lufkin eatery, so I needed to check it out.  Located in not a great area of town, La Unica is a dive.  A very limited menu leads you to the basics like enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and tamales.  Voted as best tamales in Lufkin, I was obviously taking a dozen home with me.

Tonight, I tried the cheese enchiladas with rice and beans.  You place your order at the counter, and wait.  Do not look into the kitchen when you get your drink- just trust me.  Once seated, a lady delivers chips, salsa and pico de gallo.  The yellow corn chips are hot and light.  The salsa was so-so, but the pico was to die for.  It was super fresh with a lot of lime-definitely a winner.

My plate arrives with the cheese enchiladas, rice, lettuce- tomato salad, and charro beans.  I don’t know what they do to their rice, but it was the best rice that I have ever had.  One secret is the basmati rice.  The charro beans were just so-so, and the cheese enchiladas were just greasy cheese enchiladas.

I did get a dozen tamales to go- I was afraid of the grease seeping out of the paper bag.  However, the tamales were outstanding.  They were spicy, moist, and filled with pork- another winner.

In the end, I will probably try La Unica again.  It is more authentic than the other Tex-Mex places in town.  The employees are not the friendliest, but the tamales, rice, and pico make up for that shortcoming.  If you are heading up into East Texas, stop on in, and check out La Unica.

La Unica Tortilleria

1614 N Raguet St

Lufkin, Texas 75904

936/ 632-1680

Delia's: Pharr

After criss-crossing the Rio Grande Valley, it is only right to find a local place specializing in tamales.  Even though Delia’s was my second choice for dinner and a change in cuisine, I am glad that I chose Delia’s!  This location in Pharr is in a tiny building with even a smaller parking lot, but they do have a drive thru.  The menu consisted of tamales: chicken tamales, spicy pork tamales, and sweet tamales, etc.  Basically, if it can be a tamale, Delia’s makes it.  With four other locations scattered across the Valley, I would say Delia’s has gotten the tamale business down.   

Tonight, my choice is the spicy pork tamales.  The tamales were filled with a lot of pork and a lot of spice.  The masa was perfectly moist and super tasty.   The only negative comment is the tamales are a little greasy.  The salsa was incredible- super fresh tomatoes and lots of cilantro.  If I could get a bottle of it, I would take some home.

If you are in the Valley, check to see if Delia’s is close by.  If not, check online because they ship too!  Just remember to take cash because they don't take credit cards or personal checks.

Delia’s

825 W Ferguson Street

Pharr, Texas 78577

956/783-7799

www.deliastamales.com

Ventura's Tamales: Victoria, Texas

OK, Ventura’s Tamales claim to be “the absolute best tamales in Texas.”  They are known through out the State.  I remember seeing their location times before, but now I have a reason to stop.

For some reason, I remember their location being on Hwy 59 business, but now it is on North Navarro.  Based on their beautiful website, I was expecting a beautiful little restaurant, but I was totally shocked by the building as it looks like an old Taco Bell that has been painted.  Never judge a book by its cover.

Besides tamales, you can get the usual Tex-Mex suspects too.  Today, I opt for a dozen spicy tamales.  You can chose either regular or spicy.

First thing, I thought that the price for a dozen was a little high.  Second, when I opened up the tamales, I thought the actual tamale was even smaller for the price.  I sure hope that the taste of these tamales makes up for everything!

And, it did.  The masa was perfect in taste- not bland at all with a perfect corn taste and moist.  The spiciness was lacking.  The tamales were a little stingy on the meat which I think was pork- never saw anything on what it was.  The hot sauce was super fresh with a thinner consistency and a lot of garlic.  It actually reminded me of Elena’s in Beaumont- see that Blog earlier in the month.

The dozen was consumed over the next 3 days, and it was hard not to eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Overall, I thought Ventura’s was really good.  I still think that they are pricey for the actual tamales- in size and in meat, but it is always good to find a place with yummy tamales.  It will definitely be a stop when I come to Victoria.

Ventura’s Tamales

3907 N Navarro

Victoria, Texas 77901

361/578-5161

www.venturastamales.com

Don Jose's: Palestine, Texas

Don Jose's is a creation from the Jimenez Family.  Although they have locations in Ennis, Waxahachie, Corsicana, I am eating at the Palestine location.  I got a little concerned when I walked in and the lunch special of the day was Chicken Pasta.  Every day, there are food and drink specials.  The menu is extensive with color photographs to help you make your decisions.

Today, I try the #5 Combo Plate: 1 beef taco, 1 cheese enchilada with your choice of sauce, rice and beans.

Charro beans are very good.  More like baked beans with chunks of green bell pepper and bacon.

Rice is fluffy.  Pretty bland.

Enchilada: chunk of cheddar cheese smother in a non-event chili gravy.

Taco:  slightly salty ground beef, good, fresh taco shell and lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese

Salsa- Thick and Chunky Pace with come cilantro thrown into it!

Chips: Good, Non-Greasy

Service: Incredible, Super friendly- probably one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met, Very attentive
Overall, Don Jose's in Palestine served its purpose.  It was fairly good edible Mexican food.  I did want to take a big nap after lunch, but my waitress loaded me up with a to go cup of ice tea.  If you are in Palestine, this is one of their better Mexican restaurants.  It's conveniently close to the Loop, so you can stop in for a quick fix.

Don Jose's
1103 E Palestine Ave (Hwy 79)
Palestine, Texas 75801
903/729-5054

Elena's: Beaumont, Texas

I originally started eating at the Elena's Express in Lumberton, Texas.  I was just crushed when they closed it down.  Luckily, two other locations still exist.  I always go to the College location.  Chicken fajitas and tamales are my downfall here, and tonight, I fall for them again.

These chicken fajitas rock.  I think they may be the best in Texas.  They come out steaming hot covered with onions and green bell peppers and chunks of chicken.  I get hints of lemon and pepper- possibly oregano- I don't know, but it is just yummy.  Grated Cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole accompany the fajitas.  Charro beans do too.  The charro beans were ok- not the best, but I really like their pico too!  The flour tortillas were just fair- very thick- don't taste home made.  But, put everything together, and it's just divine.

I always get the tamales to go.  In fact, I used to take dozens back to Houston.  I just love their tamales.  The masa is just great with a super corn taste.  The meat inside is well seasoned.  The tamales go great with Elena's salsa- it is quite runny and has a nice kick.  Every trip to Beaumont ends with Elena's tamales coming home.

If you get a chance, check out Elena's in Beaumont.  The fajitas and tamales won't disappoint.

Elena's
1865 College
Beaumont, TX 77701
409/832-1203