Fernando's Tamales

What a wonderful find!! I got red pork and chicken tamales as well as a burrito and everything was so flavorful, fresh, and authentic. I could eat it for every meal and be so happy about it. The customer service was amazing, friendly, and personal. The restaurant does have a tiny eating area so it's best for takeout, but it's absolutely cozy and cute while you wait. Definitely go. So worth it.

- Abbey Ryan -

The best tamales I’ve ever had and my favorite dining experience in NM! The owners and their family are so friendly and make you feel right at home. Such genuine people and I wish I could eat here again ASAP!

- Per Sveen -

Good Mexican food is made fresh while you wait. This was my first time going there. I went because of the reviews and was not disappointed. There is a small sitting area which is quaint and well decorated with hanging sarapes as curtains. The establishment is super clean inside and out. The staff (Lupe) the owner made time to converse with us letting us know she has been open for almost two years now. We will be back for more good food. Thank you Doña Lupe for the meals.

- René Cabrera -

***MUST TO TRY*** I never had tamales before and based on the 5* review we thought of trying. What an amazing taste. I felt like eating in my home. We tried chicken & cheese one. Kids loved it. I requested them if I can see how it’s made. They are very generous explaining me how it’s made and I can relate to Indian idly. The owners are so great and treating every guest as their family member. I will this place for sure.

- Rousseau Arulsamy -

This place is so cute! And the lady at front was so kind! She even let us try a tamale before we purchased. Which we did because it was freaking amazing!!!

- LG Guerrero -

My teen son and I, Washington natives, are touring New Mexico on a road trip and came through the town of Carlsbad traveling from White Sands enroute to the Caverns. We found Fernando’s Tamales which is a very local eats, the kind of treasure where Foodies everywhere are searching for. The cozy eatery was charming inside and sparkling clean with a couple of small tables but I noticed locals popping in to carry away large bags of homemade from scratch, specializing specifically in tamales so we knew it was going to be good. We met the owner, operator and cook named Lupe who was a lovely woman. She was friendly and attentive and after chatting with her for a bit, I knew these tamales would taste different. One of her main motivations in making tamales is a pure and simple one; she loves seeing people enjoy her food, enjoy her creation prepared by her own two hands. Feeding people is her love language, a true characteristic of any great cook! So, my son and I ordered a dozen of her fresh out of the steamer pork tamales to go thinking it was probably more than we could eat. We drove to the Caverns and ended up polishing off every single one!! These tamales were the best we ever tasted. The outer corn part was delightfully moist with the right density, the pork filling was tender, moist had wonderful real flavor from real ingredients without relying on salt like so many tamales do and Lupe has perfected the corn to filling ratio so each bite is well balanced. These tamales are food made from the heart! Everyone will love Fernando’s Tamales, obviously locals approve and also for travelers this makes a perfect food for the road. Highly recommend. Thank you!

- Katherine Brigham -

We got the pork tamales, and chicken tamales here and they were fantastic, and held together well. Both salsas were very delicious and flavorful. Their horchata was very refreshing!

- Steven -

stopped in for a quick lunch and was so glad i did! i got two green chili cheese tamales for $6 and they were hot and fresh and very delicious. the service was fast and friendly. a perfect experience.

- Teresa -