El Paisano Tamales — Local services in Federal Way

El Paisano Tamales (Aug 6, 2022)

This was a recent discovery. A couple of weeks ago while I was ordering from the nearby Peking Express a few doors down, I strolled outside the store while waiting for the food prep (One of those 90 degree days!). I ended up strolling along the corridors to explore a bit. Discovered a relatively newly opened store (Still had the grand opening decorations outside). I stared through the glass window to see the internal setup. A cheerful lady saw me, came out of the store and asked if I wanted to try some samples. Never refusing free food, I obliged and was treated with 2 piping hot tamales - I think I was given a Jalapeno/Cheese, and one meat tamale. I tasted them at home, and decided the store was worth patronizing.

Returned August 6 for the sole purpose of exploring the foods further with my daughter. Both of us, while liking Mexican inspired foods, are novices to tamales. All we know is that they are steamed with masa and come with different stuffing, all enclosed in corn husk. We ended up with 2 each of Jalapeno/Cheese, chicken and pork tamales. We requested sauces that accompany the tamales, and were provided with containers of mild green, spicy red and darker red (Chipotle?) medium salsas. At the time of purchase, each tamales was priced at $2.50.

My daughter and I concluded that we liked the pork tamales the best. All of them were of a good size, and were pretty filling. Of the salsas. I found the medium heat darker red salsa to be unique among the 3 and thoroughly enjoyed that.The Horchata drink we ordered was refreshingly good. I understand there is also a dessert tamale, but we decided against it this time. We shall definitely visit the place in the future. Try the place out, I believe you will enjoy the...

This is hands down the best place to go for tamales! My hubby was in the military for 20 years and we’ve lived alllll over the country, so I have tried a LOT of tamales and I have never had any THIS GOOD! They have so many to choose from, red/green pork, red/green chicken, chicken mole, cheese and jalapeño and even fruit ones (strawberry, pineapple and blueberry cream cheese). My personal favorite are the cheese and jalapeño and the green pork; they will dress them with sour cream, mexican cheese and an amazing fresh green salsa, but for me no sauce is even needed….the masa itself has such amazing flavor. They also have other things like tacos and burritos, flan, horchata and a variety of snacks and drinks - but I am so in love with the tamales that I tend to have blinders on when I go in there lol (mmmm - I was just there Tuesday and now I already want to go back 🫔) All that being said - the owner is just the sweetest soul and is she and her employees are always very kind when I go in no matter if it’s just me, me and my hubby or me and my daughter. They are quick and happy to fill your order exactly as placed - I have never had anything wrong or anything less than amazing there - very highly recommend El...

Been looking for a great tamale spot near me and I'm glad to say El paisano tamales fits that bill perfectly.

Went there the first time and got a dozen, four of each children, pork and green Chile and cheese. We also grabbed a flan and an orchata.

After we left the owner ran out of the door and brought us a couple of sample tamales one mole and one chorizo. The chorizo had great flavor but wholly mole was that mole tamale delicious 😋. Next time we go we now know to call ahead so we can get a dozen of those wonderful mole tamales as I believe that right now they are only made to order.

Ok now we got to the other tamales. We got both the chicken and pork in mild and they were fantastic. The cheese tamales had an amazing flavor but were just too spicy for my liking 🔥; I still ate all four of them because they really were that good.

The flan was ten dollars but it was probably big enough for four people to share. They told us that they make it in house and boy was it delicious. Better than any I've had at any other restaurant in Washington.

I really hope to keep coming here for years to come to scratch that...