Olmeca

My friends and I had a Christmas tamale potluck and I got my bunch at Olmeca because they were one of the ones featured in Eater. I ordered the green pork and the birriria ones. We tasted each of tamalesThat everyone bought and we all voted for the 7 dollar each tamale! ( 5 dollars would of been more the price point I would expect for upscale tamales when you get get some for 2 bucks)As pricey as they were for tamales, it was the perfect bite with the masa and meat combination. I don't like when lots of masa and barely any stuffing. These tamales were made very well, masa was moist and the insides were well season. Super tasty! Wish it was spicier but I like my food spicy, just a preference. A must try if you have the money to splurge

Found Olmeca on several best tamales of LA lists (e.g., Thrillist, Eater LA) - it's a pop-up (IG @olmeca.__. I pre-ordered some tamales and picked them up at Holy Grounds in El Sereno. The tamales were 6 for $40 ($7 for one) with a choice of three kinds. I wish the mole ones were offered but I'll have to get them another time. Duck mole tamales!The tamales were moist and soft (but not mushy). The layer of masa was thin and there was plenty of well-seasoned meat. The meat wasn't dry either. And the tamales came with various toppings (cheese, salsa, crema). You could tell that the tamales were made with love. They're also free of pork lard. The woman behind the pop-up, Yunia Fumes Mata, works at Bestia, one of the best restaurants in LA.