Sandra's Tamales — Restaurant in East Los Angeles

Change, it's unfortunate, but it happens. This tamale shop has changed, the tamales are smaller, the sauce has changed and the price has more than doubled. I've been going to this place most of my life. Even when I lived in Vegas for 23 years, I still came to this tamale shop. The thing that kept this tamale shop from others was the size of the tamales, the red sauce and the price. Now I can pretty much go anywhere for tamales, because this tamale shop is not special anymore. 1/4/2024 * I need to add a little more to this survey about Sandra's Tamales. While everything In my first post was true, I want to be fair about what I came across as we continued going through the 4 to 5 dozen tamales. As the first dozen or 2 were eaten up the rest of the tamales were what we're used to getting, they were the size we were used to and the sauce to meat ratio was what we're used to. I believe what may have happened was they had someone else help with making tamales for the holidays for 2024, I don't know if what I'm speculating is correct, but it's the only reason I can think of that makes sense. I plan to go get more soon and hopefully the tamales will be what we're used to getting. I'll survey what I find. I'm old school, so change can be disturbing to me when it's something I've enjoyed...

True flavor, tender juicy beef tamales! Their red chile beef tamales have a unique reddish brown chile sauce which may make u think it's Mole! But it's a chile sauce inside the handmade masa! Tasty sweet tamales with a bit of cinnamon n raisins and not over sweet! My grandmother made unique sweet tamales and would use an American white sugar and raisins with a bit of pineapple juice for an extra dimension of flavor. Sandra's sweet tamales may include a brownish sweet tamales made with I think a brown sugar, but not overly sweet! Back in the 50s and 60s the food industry was pushing white sugar! Which may or may not have been available and my grandmother migrated when the state line between Chihuahua and the U.S.A was an open border, her recipe was made with local ingredients from New Mexico and updated techniques while traveling via Arizona and ultimately buying a home in a predominantly Jewish community in LosAngeles, Boyle Heights 90033, in 1955. Cost of a home in 1955 was $5500.0, no driveway because they would take the electric car down Soto Street or walk and patronize community stores owned and operated by skilled craft professionals...

First time here. I went about 30 minutes before closing and of course the choice was limited. My fault, but I was able to get a dozen and a half of tamales. Dozen green chili with pork, 3 sweet with pineapple and raisin and 3 sweet corn. They gave me the last green chili pork for free, it was the only one left. So I ate that one to try them out and I am very pleased with the taste. Having a family function and I will be taking the tamales. I believe they will go over very well. I am not a fan of sweet tamales so I may not try those but if the are like the green chili with pork I am sure they will be very good. I will be back to try the others. Red with beef, cheese with chili, red pork, and who know's what else. I may add the fifth star after going back to try the others and hopefully find them tasty and a little bit more spicy. Mmmm tamales...and for the record the gentleman who was at the counter was great. Friendly with a smile as I took a minute to figure out what to order or to come back in the morning. Not difficult just indecisive but with his help places my order. I would...