Getting To Know XLNT Foods: we answer your most frequently asked questions!
XLNT Foods answers your most Frequently Asked Questions!
Do you like tamales? We love them, too, and we're not alone. Foods and dishes from Mexico are the third most popular menu type in America. According to research, 82% percent of American consumers like or love Mexican cuisine.
We love the spicy, robust flavors that emerge when ingredients such as chile peppers, jalapenos, tomatillos and lime are incorporated into the same dish. It's not only the flavors that capture our attention; foods like tamales are rich in micronutrients like vitamin A, zinc and calcium. Capsaicin from chili peppers may help support vascular and metabolic health. At XLNT Foods, we don't just enjoy eating our favorite Mexican dishes and talking about them; we like creating them.
About XLNT Foods
XLNT Foods is the oldest continuously operating Mexican food brand in America. We trace our origins back 125 years, when our tamales were sold from a pushcart on the side of the road in Southern California. What the local Californians helped us realize is that a good product lasts. Since then, we've grown into one of the oldest companies in Southern California.
We now stocks stores stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State. Beyond that, we offer delivery of our delicious products nationwide. This is exciting to us not only because we want to reach a wider audience, but because if you've experienced our foods and then moved somewhere else in the country, we can still deliver your favorites right to your door.
About XLNT Foods Products
XLNT specializes in tamales and chili con carne. We make our foods in small batches, as we always have, to ensure freshness and quality. Our tamales, chicken or beef, are unique in that they are not served in a corn husk and can be microwaved for convenience. Check out all the products that XLNT Foods offers:
• XLNT branded clothing
• XLNT branded totes and mugs
Though our branded sweatshirts and tote bags make us smile, they only exist because the food is so good. Our chili con carne gives you authentic Mexican flavor in a fraction of the time it would take to create the recipe from scratch. Our chicken tamales feature a tomato-based filling with chicken, potatoes and diced jalapenos, along with our special blend of spices. Our beef tamales are celebrated in Southern California and beyond for their savory, spicy goodness.
One of the great things about our tamales is that customers are invited to prepare them in three ways: steamed on the stovetop, baked in the oven or hustled along in the microwave. We want you to experience our products exactly as you want them.
Your Questions and Comments Matter to Us
Your opinion means as much to us as our signature spice blends. After all, we love making our foods for you, and we want you to love eating them. Like any responsible business, we know that listening to your questions and concerns and responding to them helps to strengthen our relationship.
At XLNT Foods, we want to hear from you. Please comment below with any questions about our company, our delicious eats, our people, or anything else you might want to know, and we will happily answer them for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find your products?
The easiest way is to check our new store locator! Currently, you can find XLNT Foods Tamales and Chili Con Carne at California Stores, including Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons, Smart&Final, Food4Less, Stater Bros., Pavilions, Superior Grocers and Gelsons. You can also find us in select stores in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State.
Do you have online ordering?
We can finally answer YES to this question! Click here for the XLNT Foods Store
Where are your products made?
XLNT Foods still produces our famous Tamales and Chili Con Carne here in Southern California, where the company began. Our USDA-inspected manufacturing plant is located in Long Beach, California.
Can I freeze your products?
Absolutely. If you do not intend to consume your tamales or chili con carne by the “best by date”, place in the freezer. For best quality, consume within 6 months.
What kind of beef and chicken do you use?
XLNT Foods uses USDA inspected ground beef and USDA inspected chicken breast and chicken thigh meat.
Are your products gluten-free?
Our products are not gluten-free. We use traditional Mexican recipes passed down for generations and they do contain wheat. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Do your products contain any other allergens?
Our products contain wheat and soy from the list of most common allergens in food. In addition, they are made in a plant where eggs, milk, fish, and tree nuts are also used. As part of our commitment to food safety, we maintain an allergen program to keep known allergens separate from other ingredients. If you have questions or concerns about any of our ingredients, please contact us.
What do the codes mean on your packaging?
There are two codes on our products: The Julian code is a 5-digit number that tells you when the product was manufactured. The "best if used by" date is the date XLNT Foods recommends the product be used or frozen to ensure quality and consistency.
Where can I find your 8oz Tamale?
XLNT 8oz Tamales are sold at Ralphs and Gelson’s. Ralph’s carries them in the deli case, typically with the fresh salsa and Mexican cheeses, while Gelson's stocks them in the deli case with the snack burritos. And NOW you can shop for them at the XLNT Foods Store.
How do I prepare XLNT Tamales?
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 a 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.
How do I prepare XLNT Chili Con Carne?
Serving Suggestion: Chili Con Carne with beans, Always remove Chili from the tray. Open a 15oz can of pinto beans or equivalent; combine with Chili and heat. Use as a topping for Tamales, Burritos, Hot Dogs, Baked Potatoes, Pasta etc. Use your favorite combination of ingredients to customize your own chili! Excellent when mixed with sautéed vegetables or meat leftovers.
Shipping FAQs
What day and time is the best to order from your online store
Fridays before our 12 Noon PST cutoff is the best day to order and get your order the fastest with the least amount of waiting time. We ship every Monday so your order will go out the following Monday and you’ll get your Tamales and Chili on either Wednesday or Thursday of the next week depending on the time of the year. If you miss that Friday noon cutoff your order goes out a week from the following Monday which means 10 days later
When will my order ship?
Due to the perishable nature of our products, XLNT Foods only ships out on Mondays and occasionally on Tuesday if there is a holiday schedule. All orders must be placed by 12pm (PST) on Friday to be shipped out on Monday. All orders placed after 12pm (PST) on Friday will be shipped out the following Monday (10 days later).
What is 2 day and 3 day shipping?
The two day and three day shipping applies to the travel time for the package. Please refer to the website main page or your confirmation email as to when your package will ship.
Do you ship to P.O. Boxes?
Because we are exclusively shipping with UPS to offer the best shipping rates, we cannot ship to P.O. Boxes at this time.
How much does it cost to ship?
Shipping costs vary greatly between the size of box ordered and the distance one lives from our Long Beach, California facility. You can see what your shipping will cost during checkout, prior to completing your order. We also recommend you check out the Shipping Zone Maps for cost information.
Why does it cost so much for shipping?
It is very expensive to ship heavy, frozen products safely across the country. Frozen refrigerant used to keep your product cold, adds to the weight. Not only is it heavy, but because of the nature of our perishable products they need to be shipped fast with expedited rates to make sure they get there below our temperature threshold. We are always searching for ways to reduce this cost for you. Come see how our Tamale Shipping compares to other companies and look at our shipping charts here
Sources:
https://www.chefspencil.com/most-popular-cuisines-on-instagram-2021/
https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/are-tamales-healthy#:~:text=Tamales%20provide%20healthy%20micronutrients%2C%20including,support%20vascular%20and%20metabolic%20health.