Tamale Shak — Restaurant in Gulfport

Staff very friendly! Got a sampling of my favorite foods and brought them home to enjoy. The Beef Burrito was out of this world DELICIOUS! Size was very ample for a meal itself. Also got the tacos which I ate the following day. They look small but are full of beef! Very hearty lunch! They were also out of this world delicious! Was so impressed with flavor and size of the Burrito and Tacos have been raving to anyone who will listen! Hopefully they took my advice! Now to the tamales which are their signature. I was not impressed. They did use the corn shucks which give an added layer of flavor but they are sadly lacking in meat. Word of advice to tamale maker, spread your cornmeal or mesa very thin and add more beef. It does increase the cost but you will still make a profit. I also suggest leaving in 'pot likker' from cooking in order to maintain moisture in finished tamale. I am not a fan of dry tamales. Sauces, red and green, were very good. However, they were best on Burrito and Tacos, not...

I have been trying to get by the Tamale Shak for awhile now, and could just never seem to get down there while they were open. Welp, I'm glad that I finally did get down there while they were open, because I finally found a Tamale on Mississippi's Gulfcoast that I really, really, like, & if you happen to know me, then you know that I am a Delta Style / Hot Tamale connoisseur as I have spent years traveling all across the South to as many Tamale Shaqs as possible in an effort to find the best Tamales available and I have also been making Tamales of all kinds from scratch for just as long.

I really don't know what else to say about this lil place, other than the staff was great and the Tamales were even better. Other than suggesting staying open into the night, and offering their Tamales Frozen so folks like me can toss a few dozen in the cooler to enjoy later, this place is one HOT TAMALE!

Now I just have to get back down there during business hours, as this review just...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’re craving authentic, melt-in-your-mouth tamales, Tamale Shack is an absolute gem on the Gulf Coast! From the outside, this place might seem unassuming, but don’t let appearances fool you—inside, it’s tamale heaven. Each tamale is perfectly seasoned, packed with flavorful fillings, and wrapped in that soft, comforting masa that keeps you coming back for more.

The staff is as warm and welcoming as the food itself, making you feel right at home with every visit. And the best part? They keep their prices reasonable without compromising quality. Tamale Shak is a must-visit for anyone who loves real, down-to-earth tamales. I forgot to take the pics of the tamales cuz I ate...