Recommended by people who matter most: OUR CUSTOMERS
I just wanted to thank you for being in business for so many years. I eat a lot of tamales from all over but yours are the best ever.
— DAVID
Our time-tested recipe has become a California tradition. For well over a century, XLNT customers have grown up enjoying our one-of-a-kind beef tamales. Still hand-wrapped here in Southern California, our beef tamales contain more specially seasoned beef than any other in order to satisfy even the biggest appetite!
Stovetop: Steam wrapped tamales in covered colander or sieve over boiling water for approximately 25 minutes if thawed; 30 minutes if frozen. Do not place tamales directly in water.
Microwave: Remove from bag, place tamale with unopened plastic wrapper on microwave-safe dish and heat on MEDIUM for 2 minutes if thawed; 4 minutes if frozen. Remove Plastic wrapper.
Conventional Oven: Remove from bag and unwrap. Place tamales in casserole dish with 1-2 tablespoons of water. Cover and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes if thawed; 30 minutes if frozen. May also be heated in foil, omitting water.
Filling: Beef, Water, Cereal, (Enriched Flour [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Cracked Wheat) Carrots, Flavorings, Salt, Dehydrated Onions, Monosodium Glutamate. MASA: Water, Stone Ground Corn with Trace of Lime, Shortening (Beef Fat, Cottonseed Oil and/or Soybean Oil), Salt, Chili Pepper.
Contains: Soy and Wheat.
I just wanted to thank you for being in business for so many years. I eat a lot of tamales from all over but yours are the best ever.
— DAVID
I ate these back in the 60’s when we went home for lunch in S. California... 50+ years later still have not forgotten about them. NOTHING compares.
— JUDY
I just wanted to say, you are the reason why I love tamales to this day. No tamale has ever tasted as good...
— PAULA
Love your Beef Tamales! My Grandma use to make them for us for Breakfast with a Fried Egg on top! Tastes like Home!
— Joanna
I was so excited to find your Beef Tamales at Smart and Final after not having had any since the 50's in San Francisco when my Mom gave them to me as a kid. It really says something about a product when I still remember and desire that great taste after nearly 50 years. Since re-discovering them I have them in the fridge ALL the time. In fact I've been eating them every day! So delicious. In my opinion these are the best tasting commercial tamales ever made. Please never stop making them and delivering them to Redwood City's Smart and Final. Thanks.
— Robb
When I grew up in So Cal, Foothill High School cafeteria had XLNT tamales. 50 cents got me a tamale and a chocolate milk! I was in heaven! A couple of hot yellow chilies, and I'm set! Thanks for hanging in there all these years!!!
— Tommy B.
I grew up on your Tamales in Hawthorne, CA. Nothing...no no no...Nothing comes close.
— Miguel
Your tamales are the best. I loved them steamed and swimming in a bowl of the XLNT chili.
— Al
We at The Lab-Ciba in Los Angeles have been enjoying XLNT products for years, SALUTE!
— Frank
Greetings from Oregon! This is just a fan letter that I felt compelled to send you. I've just eaten TWO of your 5oz.. tamales for supper, and I relished every bite! Boy, oh boy, that wonderful flavor takes me back. Been eating those tasty tamales with my family since my childhood (So many years ago!),and every time I have them I appreciate how delicious they are. I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work your crew does to bring me this treat that I love so much. Thank you, thank you!
— B. Shafer
I just wanted to thank you for being in business for so many years. I can remember eating your tamales since I was four years old and today I'm 61 years old and still enjoy them very much. I just had some tonight for dinner. I eat a lot of tamales from all over but yours are the best ever. Thank you.
— Dave D.
A while back you gave me the info to get the Tamales and Chili in Washington State, just wanted you to know the little store in town was able to get the chili and the tamales are on their way from Western Boxed Meats. The Chili is exactly as I remember growing up as a kid in Southern California it's great to know some foods don't change even after 50 years.
—Larry
Aah ... the tamales of my childhood. So delicious! They're great plain, with chili on top, or as part of a grand south-of-the-border meal experience. Keep it up, XLNT!
— Joan
I can't explain what xlnt is like. I am 76 years old and I can remember as a very small child my Mom & Dad would get XLNT tamales for dinner. One day when I was older I had another brand and I said never again if it's not xlnt it is not a TAMALE.. I stopped eating at Tommy's because they stopped serving xlnt tamale's.
—Don
I grew up in Southern California back in the 70s through the 80s. As the youngest of 10, taco night was always our favorite. My mom would mix the brick of XLNT with the beef and that's it. The best tacos ever!!
— Julia
So good! Perfect taste in perfect size bigger isn't necessarily better when it comes to tamales. I've had many many tamales and have made many many tamales and these are some of the best frozen tamales I've ever had. masa is so tender I recommend cheating in the microwave with a damp paper towel to keep the moisture in...topping it with salsa or enchilada sauce. So happy I found them finally!!!
— Heidi
I remember your tamales when I was growing up in California. Still eating them to this day. I think they have the most awesome taste. I like putting onions and hot sauce on them. I also love chili con-carne.
— Jaime
I have been using your product since I was a teenager. I love this chili con carne. I remember one day when the store where I shop ran out of your chili, so I got another brand and that was a big mistake . Keep up the good work Thank you
— Yvonne
I absolutely love your tamales! I buy them from my butcher "The Original Steer" here in Portland Or. They're perfect for a snack or meal. I also appreciate that this company has stayed true to it's roots, and is family owned. The proof is in the taste! Thank you for your hard work and dedication. GBK Portland Oregon
— Gregory